While the fall shows of the 1880s and 1890s continued to feature chrysanthemums, Albert Blanc was attracting attention with his displays of cactus, a novelty at that time. Blanc was a cactus collector-turned-dealer. Through his exhibits, such as the one shown in the foreground of this photograph from The American Florist, and his mail order catalog, Hints on Cacti, he started a cactus craze in the 1890s in the United States. He was awarded a special premium for his display in the 1891 show and won a $50 prize.