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Wilford Collection of Centennial Exhibition and Sesquicentennial Exposition Materials
Notifications
Held at: Fairmount Park Historic Resource Archives [Contact Us]1515 Arch Street, 10th Floor, Philadelphia, PA
This is a finding aid. It is a description of archival material held at the Fairmount Park Historic Resource Archives. Unless otherwise noted, the materials described below are physically available in their reading room, and not digitally available through the web.
Overview and metadata sections
Joseph and Jean Wilford are avid collectors of World's Fair memorabilia. This collection contains materials from the 1876 Centennial Exhibition and the 1926 Sesquicentennial Exposition donated by the Wilfords. Both of these celebrations were held on Fairmount Park land: The 1876 Centennial Exhibition took place in West Fairmount Park, and the 1926 Sesquicentennial Exposition took place in what is now Marconi Plaza and Franklin Delano Roosevelt Parks.
This collection consists of various items that were produced to memorialize the Centennial Exhibition of 1876 and the Sesquicentennial exposition of 1926. The collection includes programs, photographic records, catalogs and souvenirs.
- Publisher
- Fairmount Park Historic Resource Archives
- Finding Aid Author
- Finding aid prepared by Eric Rosenzweig
- Access Restrictions
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This collection is open for research.
- Use Restrictions
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Copyright restrictions may apply. Please contact the Archives with requests for copying and for authorization to publish, quote or reproduce the material.
Collection Inventory
Includes indeces.
"Printed at the Riverside Press, Cambridge, Mass." - title page.
General Physical Description note70p.
The publication of this guidebook was "authorized by the Centennial Board of Finance, and approved by the Director-General." This publication was "the only guide-book sold on the exhibition grounds." - title page.
Physical Description48.0 p.
Includes supplemental chapters: "Places of Interest" and "The System of House Numbering by the Streets."
Physical Description64.0 p.
Fairmount Park Historic Resource Archives does not own the copyright to this publication.
A digital version of each plate and front cover is available.
Includes table of contents.
Physical Description17.0 plates
A digital version of each plate and front cover is available.
Physical Description48.0 plates
The text of the letter is pre-printed; the closing, signature line and date were created by a typewriter. The letter is at once a communication and a display of new technology on display in Machinery Hall.
Accompanying envelope is addressed to "MRS. M. F. WOODWARD, SCHOOLCRAFT, MICHIGAN." Postmark from Philadelphia, Pa. October 10, 10PM.
Dimensions note16 x 12.5 cm.
A digital version of each color engraving is available.
Physical Description22.0 cards.
10.5 x 16 cm.
10.5 x 16 cm.
10.5 x 16 cm.
10.5 x 16 cm.
10.5 x 16 cm.
10.5 x 16 cm.
10.5 x 16 cm.
10.5 x 16 cm.
10.5 x 16 cm.
10.5 x 16 cm.
10.5 x 16 cm.
10.5 x 16 cm.
10.5 x 16 cm.
10.5 x 16 cm.
10.5 x 16 cm.
10.5 x 16 cm.
10.5 x 16 cm.
10.5 x 16 cm.
10.5 x 16 cm.
10.5 x 16 cm.
10.5 x 16 cm.
A digital version of each stereograph is available.
Physical Description6.0 cards
8.5 x 16.5 cm.
8.5 x 17 cm.
11 x 18 cm.
11 x 18 cm.
11 x 18 cm.
11 x 18 cm.
The works listed in the catalog are categorized first into sections defined by nation of origin. Within each national section, the works are categorized by medium, such as "Paintings," "Watercolors and Drawings," "Miniatures," "Decorative Arts" and "Sculpture." The final item list in the catalog is the "Print Section" wherein the works of art are categorized by technique, such as etchings or lithographs. Within each division of the print section artists are listed alphabetically by last name. Each of the artists' works are listed by catalog number.
"Official Catalogue of the Paintings, Sculpture and Prints in the Department of Fine Arts Sesqui-Centennial International Exposition" - title page.
Physical Description64.0 p.
This catalog includes fifty-four pages of photographs of works of art, beginning on page six.
Physical Description120.0 p.
This program presents the schedule for two events: "10.00 A. M. - Imperial Council Session, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles Mystic Shrine - Auditorium" and ""10.00 A. M. - Exhibition drills, uniformed Shrine bodies - Stadium."
The program also includes black and white photographs of select Exposition buildings, and many advertisements by various manufacturers from the Philadelphia area.
Physical Description32.0 p.
This program includes descriptions of a variety of Exposition buildings and grounds tours.
The program also lists forty events that would occur on Tuesday, October 12 1926.
The program also includes black and white photographs of select Exposition buildings, and many advertisements by various manufacturers from the Philadelphia area.
Physical Description32.0 p.
This program contains text that describes the historical significance of Philadelphia, accompanied by black and white photographic images of various Exposition buildings and historical buildings of Philadelphia. The program also contains reprints from the Grolier Society's "Boof of Knowledge."
Physical Description14.0 p.
A digital version for each plate, and front and back covers is available.
This is a set of twelve photographic prints showing scenic views of the Exposition grounds. The prints have been hand colored to produce an artistic effect. The twelve views are:
"Pylons of the Original States and Palace of Liberal Arts"
"Progressive Philadelphia statue and the Palace of Agricultural Fashions"
"Looking toward the main entrance""Pittsburgh building"
"Pennsylvania State building"
"Electric fountain, gladway and botanical gardens"
"Entrance - Palace of Fine Arts"
"Japanese government grounds and overlook on Edgewater Lake - Stadium in distance"
"Treasure Island"
"High Street in 1776"
"India building"
"Government of Persia and Republic of Cuba buildings"
Physical Description12.0 p.
The program lists start times and details for events that occurred on October 11 through 15 of 1926. Included is a map of the "Convention Section" of Philadelphia, which highlights the parade route and places of interest. The parade was also included in the Official Sesqui-Centennial Daily Program and Guide from October 12.
Physical Description31.0 p.