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Century of Progress International Exposition ephemera

Creation: 1933
 Collection
Accession: 2016-299

Abstract

The Century of Progress International Exposition was held along Lake Michigan and Northerly Island Park in Chicago, Illinois, from May 27, 1933, to October 31, 1934. The theme was "Science Finds, Industry Applies, Man Conforms." This collection consists of two items from the Exposition. One item is a folded card containing five sets of sewing needles and a threader. The second item is a set of eleven souvenir cards from Ripley's Believe It Or Not Odditorium, with the original envelope and booklet.

Dates

  • Creation: 1933

Creator

Extent

2 item(s)

Physical Description

1 set of sewing needles. 1 set of souvenir cards.

Historical Note

World's Fairs or International Expositions are large-scale exhibitions that highlight technology, agriculture and other innovations of national or cultural significance. These fairs are open to the general public and can run for three weeks to six months.

The Chicago Century of Progress International Exposition was held along Lake Michigan and Northerly Island Park from May 27, 1933 to October 31, 1934. The theme was "Science Finds, Industry Applies, Man Conforms." The fair had more than 48 million visitors. A notable structure was the Sky Ride and one of the highlights was the flight of the Graf Zeppelin airship.

Scope and Content

This collections consists of two items from the Century of Progress International Exposition. One item is a folded card containing five sets of sewing needles and a threader. The front of the card says "A Century of Progress" and shows images of the entrance to the Field Museum and the Carillon Tower Hall of Science. The back of the card shows the Adler Planetarium and the Shedd Aquarium. The second item is a set of eleven souvenir cards from Ripley's Believe It Or Not Odditorium. Each card contains a photographic image of one or two different people displaying their various "oddity." The cards include: Anato Hayes, Martin Laurello, Demetrio Ortiz, Orpha Ensign, Roy Bard, Professor and Mrs. A.L. Morrell, Roy Gardner, Leo Kongee, Singlee, Joseph Grendol, Robert Everhart, Francois Russell, Mort Mortensen, Hadji Ali, Homma, sculpture of Hananuma Masakichi, Betty Williams, Swami See Ram Lai, Paul McWilliams, and Andrew A. Gawley. An accompanying booklet contains brief backgrounds of each person featured on the cards. The original envelope is included.

Access Restrictions

No restrictions on access; this collection is open for research.

Language of Materials

English

Finding Aid & Administrative Information

Title:
Century of Progress International Exposition ephemera
Date:
2016
Description rules:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description:
English
Script of description:
Latin

Repository Details

Repository Details

Part of the Audiovisual Collections Repository

Contact:
PO Box 3630
Wilmington Delaware 19807 USA
302-658-2400