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Collection of World's Fair ephemera

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Held at: University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts [Contact Us]3420 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6206

This is a finding aid. It is a description of archival material held at the University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts. 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

Call Number:
Ms. Coll. 1533
Repository:
University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts
Extent:
0.2 linear feet (1 box)
Language:
English
Preferred Citation:
Collection of World's Fair emphera, 1933, 1964-1965, Ms. Coll. 1533, Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts, University of Pennsylvania.
Date:
1933, 1964-1965 (inclusive)
Creator:
New York World's Fair (1964-1965 : New York, N.Y.) and Century of Progress International Exposition (1933-1934 : Chicago, Ill.)
Abstract:
A Century of Progress International Exposition, also known as the Chicago World's Fair, was from 1933-1934 in Chicago, Illinois. In 1964, New York hosted a World's Fair based upon the theme of "peace through understanding." This Collection of World's Fair ephemera comprises maps, pamphlets and souvenirs from both the 1933, 1964 fairs hosted by Chicago and New York.

A Century of Progress International Exposition, also known as the Chicago World's Fair, was held in the city of Chicago, Illinois, United States, from 1933 to 1934. It was the second world's fair hosted by Chicago. The fair was a showcase for modern living, consumerism and entertainment and aimed to counter the effects of the Great Depression by encouraging hope for the future.

The theme of the 1964 World's Fair in New York City was "Peace Through Understanding". The Fair aimed to capture the futuristic optimism of postwar 20th century America. The Fair was one of the most theatrical displays of American capitalism featuring over 140 pavilions and 110 restaurants, representing 80 nations.

The Collection of World's Fair ephemera comprises materials from both the 1933 Chicago World's Fair and the 1964 fair held in New York. Materials from the 1964 fair include: maps and pamphlets; and from the 1933 fair a walnut shell with a miniature printed brochure of the buildings and exhibits.

Gift of Prof. Andé Dombrowski and students of the curatorial seminar on World's Fairs fall 2017, History of Art, 2019.

Accessioned as 2019.000589. Samantha Dodd processed, wrote and encoded the finding aid, 2023.

Subject
Place

Publisher
University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts
Finding Aid Author
Samantha Dodd
Finding Aid Date
2023 August 2
Access Restrictions

This collection is open for research use.

Use Restrictions

Copyright restrictions may exist. For most library holdings, the Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania do not hold copyright. It is the responsibility of the requester to seek permission from the holder of the copyright to reproduce material from the Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts.

Collection Inventory

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Ephemera, 1964-1965.
Box 1 Folder 1
Scope and Contents

(1) map of New York World's Fair grounds, "Tour with Texaco on your Way to the Fair"; (2) Pamphlet "Your Guide to the General Motors Futurama" exhibit; (3) Two copies of pamphlet "Official Key to the Exhibit of the Vatican Pavilion at the New York World's Fair".

Nutshell, 1933.
Box 1 Folder 2
Scope and Contents

Souvenir "The World's Fair in a Nutshell." Features a walnut shell with a copy of the 1933 Century of Progress World's Fair exhibition guide inside.

Print, Suggest