New York State Library
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Expositions, Fairs, Celebrations and Ceremonies Collection
1876-1980

QC16514

Quantity: 26 Boxes (8.0 cubic feet)
Access: Open to research
Acquisition: Unknown
Processed By: Claire Robertson, Student Assistant, State University of New York at Albany, for Manuscripts and Special Collections, September-October, 2016

                                            
View catalog record

Related Page: Welcome to the Fair! The 1939 and 1964 Wold's Fairs

Historical Note:

World's fairs date from the 1790s. The American Institute Fair, held annually in New York City from 1829 to 1897, is sometimes considered the first world's fair held in the United States. The American Institute was founded in 1829 "for the encouragement of agriculture, commerce, manufactures, and the arts," the underlying theme of most fairs.

The first world's fair held in the United States that was not an annual event was the Exhibition of the Industry of All Nations, which opened in what is now Bryant Park in New York City in 1853 and was modeled after the 1851 London exhibition, including a replica of London's "Crystal Palace." Two of the more famous world's fairs held in the United States were the Centennial Exposition held in Philadelphia in 1876 and the World's Columbian Exposition, which opened in Chicago in 1893. New York State hosted the Pan American Exposition in Buffalo (1901) and two more world's fairs in New York City (1939-1940 and 1964-1965).

Brochure showing the logo of the 1939 World's Fair in New York City
1939 World's Fair

Robert Moses was the president of the 1939 and 1964 fairs. Both were held in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, and both had two seasons, each running from spring to early fall. The first season of the 1939 fair ran from April 20, 1939, to October 31, 1939, and the second season ran from May 11, 1940, to October 27, 1940. The first season of the 1964 fair ran from April 22, 1964, to October 18, 1964, and the second season ran from April 21, 1965, to October 17, 1965. Both fairs were financial disasters due to overestimated projections of attendance and mismanagement of funding. 

The 1939 New York World's Fair emphasized advancements in technology that were becoming more and more readily available in society and the theme of the fair was "Building the World of Tomorrow."  "Futurama," the exhibit offered by General Motors, had an observation deck from which spectators could look down at a futuristic New York City.  The fair was divided into zones: Transportation Zone, Government Zone, Communications and Business Systems Zone, and Food Zone.

Offical Souvenir Book of the New York World's Fair (1965)
NY World's Fair Souvenir Book (1965)

The second New York World's Fair is most remembered for its Unisphere, an engineering marvel which promoted the fair's theme: "Peace through Understanding." Compared to the 1939 fair, the 1964 fair placed a higher emphasis on branding and commercialism.

While most of the companies that exhibited at the 1964 fair are still in business, some of them have been bought out by other companies or have ceased to exist: General Cigar (Scandinavian Tobacco Company as of 2010), General Foods (defunct in 1990), Sinclair Oil (acquired by ARCO in 1969), Texaco (merged with Shell/Chevron), U.S. Royal Tire (merged with Goodrich in 1987 and Michelin in 1990), and Westinghouse (defunct in 1999 after a merger with Viacom).

Scope and Content Note:

Much of the content in this collection is in the form of ephemera – booklets/brochures, pamphlets, flyers, etc. that advertised the fairs – and most of the collection (22 boxes) is related to the 1939-1940 and 1964-1965 fairs that were held in New York City.

Also represented in the collection are the Centennial Exposition (Philadelphia, 1876); the Exposition Universelle (Paris, 1900); the Pan American Exposition (Buffalo, 1901); the Louisiana Purchase Exposition (St. Louis, 1904); the Panama-California Exposition (San Diego, California, 1915); the Century 21 Exposition (Seattle, 1962); the world's fairs held in Chicago in 1893 and 1933; the California Pacific International Exposition (San Diego, 1935 and 1936); and Expo 67 (Montreal, 1967)

The collection also includes ephemera related to non-world's fairs such as the Hudson-Fulton Celebration (New York and New Jersey, 1909)

Series

Series 1: Photographs of New York World's Fair, 1939-1940 (Boxes 1-4)

Series 1 consists of photographic depictions of the exhibits in the New York State Pavilion in the 1939 World's Fair.  The photographs are grouped by regions in New York.  Each region occupied a space in the New York Pavilion with photographs of regionally-specific activities paired with physical objects that are culturally significant to the area. Photographs in the miscellaneous category are of non-region-specific exhibits.  Folders 47 through 49 contain question marks after the titles "Amphitheater" because these photographs are untitled and it's just conjecture that the photographs depict different angles of the amphitheater. 

Series 2: Ephemera of New York World's Fair, 1939-1940 (Box 5)
Series 3: Ephemera of New York World's Fair, 1964-1965 (Boxes 6-22)

Series 2 and 3 contain administrative documents, promotional materials and financial reports leading up to the opening of the 1939 and 1964 New York world's fairs, respectively.  Series 2 also contains brochures, ticket stubs, newspaper articles, etc., related to the 1939 New York World's Fair.

Boston Sunday Globe insert - Bringing you the magic of the New York World's Fair
Advertising insert for the World's Fair from
The Boston Sunday Globe (April 1964)

Series 3 focuses on the 1964-1965 World's Fair.  Box 6 contains brochures from pavilions representing about 10 states in the United States; Box 7 contains brochures from pavilions representing about 20 countries or regions of the world.  Boxes 8 through the first half of 11 contain information on corporate exhibits.  The second half of Box 11 through Box 13 contains magazines with feature articles about the World's Fair. 

Series 4: Oversized Ephemera, 1893-1964 (Box 23)

Series 4 contains oversized ephemera, including posters and newspaper articles, from the Chicago Columbian Exposition of 1893, the Paris Exposition (Exposition Universelle) of 1900, the St. Louis Universal Exposition of 1904, the 1939 New York World's Fair, and the 1962 Seattle World's Fair, and posters from the 1964 New York World's Fair.

Series 5: Ephemera of Chicago Columbian Exposition (1893) and the Chicago World's Fair (1933) (Box 24)

Folders 1-9 in Series 5 contain pamphlets, booklets, a visitor's guide and postcard collections from the Chicago Columbian Exposition of 1893.  Folder 10 contains maps, pamphlets of various companies, and newspaper clippings of the 1933 fair.

Series 6: Ephemera of Other Exhibitions and Expositions, 1876-1980 (Box 25-26)

Series 6 contains ephemera from other exhibitions and expositions held between 1876 and 1980:

  • Guidebooks and catalogs from the International Exhibition of Arts, Manufactures and Products of the Soil and Mine, more commonly known as the Philadelphia Centennial Exposition (May 10 to November 10, 1876), celebrating of the hundredth anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
  • Brochures, souvenir booklets, tickets and catalogs from the Pan-American Exposition (Buffalo, May 1 to November 2, 1901), famous because President William McKinley was assassinated at the expo.
  • Souvenir booklets from the Louisiana Purchase Exposition (St. Louis, Missouri, April 30 to December 1, 1904), more commonly known as the St. Louis Exposition.
  • Brochures, illustrated programs and booklets from the Hudson-Fulton Celebration (New York and New Jersey, September 25 to October 9, 1909). 
  • Guidebooks from the Panama-California Exposition (San Diego, California, January 1, 1915 to January 1, 1917), which celebrated the completion of the Panama Canal.
  • A postcard depicting the Zoro Garden from the California Pacific International Exposition (San Diego, May 29 to November 11, 1935, and February 12 to September 9, 1936). 
  • A brochure from the Department of Corrections from the 1958 New York State Fair, which is held annually in Syracuse, New York.
  • Booklets, brochures, postcards and souvenir maps from Expo 67 (Montreal, Canada, April 27 to October 29, 1967).

Box and Folder List:

Series 1: Photographs of New York World's Fair, 1939-1940 (Boxes 1-4)

Series 1 consists of photographic depictions of the exhibits in the New York State Pavilion in the 1939 World's Fair.  The photographs are grouped by regions in New York.  Each region occupied a space in the New York Pavilion with photographs of regionally-specific activities paired with physical objects that are culturally significant to the area.  Photographs in the miscellaneous category are of non-region-specific exhibits.  Folders 47 through 49 contain question marks after the titles "Amphitheater" because these photographs are untitled and it's just conjecture that the photographs depict different angles of the amphitheater. 

Box Folder Description
    New York World's Fair, 1939
Region 1: Long Island Region
1 1 Long Island Sports
1 2 Long Island Sports
1 3 Long Island Sports
1 4 Long Island Sports
1 5 General View of Region #1 and Long Island Sports
1 6 General View of Region #1
1 7 Jones Beach
1 8 General View of Region #1 and Long Island Sports
1 9 Region #1 Floor Case #3
1 10 Region #1 Wall Cases #5, 6, 7
1 11 Region #1Wall Cases #4, 5, 6 (1940)
1 12 Region #1 Floor Case #1
1 13 Region #1 Floor Case #2
   New York World's Fair, 1939
Region 2: Hudson River Valley Region
1 14 Center Panel – Back Wall
1 15 Floor Case #1
1 16 Floor Case #2
1 17 Panel Over Case
1 18 Panel Over Case
1 19 Panels – Historic – Recreation – Scenic – Area Bay
1 20 Back Wall Panel – Right
1 21 Back Wall Panel – Left
1 22 Wall Cases #4, 5, 6
    New York World's Fair, 1939
Region 3: New York City Region
1 23 New York City Region
Cases #1, 2, 3
1 24 New York City Region
Cases #4, 5, 6
1 25 Back Wall Panel- Left
1 26 Historical – Area Mural
1 27 Wall Cases #1, 2, 3
1 28 Wall Cases #4, 5, 6
1 29 Back Wall Panel- Right
1 30 Panel Over Case - Right
1 31 Panel Over Case - Left
1 32 Historic Panel – Area
1 33 Back Wall Panel- Center
1 34 Back Wall Panel- Center
1 35 Floor Case #1
1 36 Floor Case #2
1 37 Scenic and Recreation – Area Bay
1 38 New York City Region
Floor Case #1
1 39 General View – New York City
1 40 Columbia University
New York, New York
Founded 1754
1 41 Crafts League Case # 4
1 42 Floor Case #3
1 43 New York City Region
Floor Case #2
1 44 Panel Case
   New York World's Fair, 1939
Region 4: Capital District Region
2 1 Panel Cases – General Electric American Locomotive
2 2 Howe's Caverns and Schoharie County, New York
2 3 Area Mural - Historical
2 4 Back Wall - Center
2 5 The Health Water of the Saratoga Spa
2 6 Hudson River Valley Area
2 7 Wall Cases #4, 5, 6
2 8 Wall Cases #1, 2, 3
2 9 Left – Port of Albany
Right – Agriculture
2 10 Government Buildings and Howe Caverns
2 11 Capitol District Area
2 12 Saratoga Spa, 1940
2 13 General View
2 14 Wall Cases #4, 5, 6
2 15 Back Wall - Right Side
2 16 Back Wall - Left Side
2 17 Floor Case #2
2 18 Floor Case #1
2 19 Floor Case #3
(Union College)
2 20 Albany Historical Case, 1940
2 21 Government Buildings and Howe Caverns
2 22 Sharon Springs
2 23 Port of Albany and Agriculture
2 24 Back Wall– Center Panel
2 25 Historic Panel - Capitol District Area
2 26Panel Over Case - General Electric and American Locomotive
    New York World's Fair, 1939
Region 5: Saratoga-Lake George Region
2 27 Wall Cases #1, 2, 3
2 28 Wall Cases #4, 5, 6
2 29 Historic Panel - Area Mural
2 30 Floor Case #2
2 31 Floor Case #1
2 32 Wall Case # 4, 5, 6 (1940)
2 33 Adirondack Area - Recreation Panel and Scenic Panel
2 34 Area Mural
2 35 Historic Panel– Adirondack Area
2 36 Panel Over Case - Scenic
2 37 Panel Over Case - Agriculture
2 38 Back Wall – Left Side
2 39 Back Wall – Right Side
   New York World's Fair, 1939
Region 6: 1,000 Island-St. Lawrence Region
2 40 St. Lawrence Area - Recreation Panel
2 41 Over Case - Agriculture
2 42 Area Mural - Recreation
2 43 Right Panel – Back Wall
2 44 Back Wall Panel 
2 45 Back Wall – Left Panel
2 46 Back Wall – Center Panel
2 47 Panel Over Case - Agriculture
2 48 Panel Over Case - Industry
2 49 Wall Cases #4, 5, 6
2 50 Floor Case #2
2 51 Floor Case #1
2 52 Wall Cases #1, 2, 3
2 53 St. Lawrence Area - Scenic and Recreation
   New York World's Fair, 1939
Region 7: Mohawk Valley Region
3 1 Floor Case #3
3 2 Wall Cases #4, 5, 6
3 3 Back Wall Panel - Center
3 4 Panel Over Case - Historic and Scenic
3 5 Back Wall Panel
3 6 Floor Case #1
3 7 Floor Case #2
3 8 Back Wall Panel – Left 
3 9 Back Wall Panel – Right 
3 10 Back Wall Panel
3 11 Back Wall Panel
3 12 Wall Cases #1, 2, 3
   New York World's Fair, 1939
Region 8: Syracuse and Central New York Region
3 13 Column Case, 1940: Onondaga Pottery
3 14 Column Case, 1940
3 15 Floor Case #1
3 16 Wall Case #4, 5, 6, 1940
3 17 Top Floor Case #2, 1940
3 18 Floor Case #2
   New York World's Fair, 1939
Region 9: Finger Lakes Region
3 19 Floor Case #2
3 20 Wall Cases #4, 5, 6
3 21 Wall Cases #1, 2, 3
3 22 Floor Case #1
3 23 Back Wall Panel – Central
3 24 Agricultural Panel – Area Bay
3 25 Recreation and Scenic Area Bay
3 26 Back Wall, Right Panel - Cayuga, Ontario, and Seneca
3 27 Finger Lakes Area - Historic Panel
3 28 Elmira College
3 29Finger Lakes and Central New York Area
    New York World's Fair, 1939
Region 10: Rochester and Genesee Valley Region
3 30 Column Case, 1940
3 31 Recreation and Scenic Panels - Area Bay
3 32 Center Panel – Back Wall
3 33 Panel Over Case
3 34 Panel Over Case
3 35 Column Case, 1940
3 36 Floor Case #1
3 37 Wall Cases #1, 2, 3
3 38 Wall Cases #4, 5, 6
3 39 General View of Regions 10-12
3 40 Floor Case #2
3 41 Wall Cases #1, 2, 3 (1940)
3 42 Wall Cases #4, 5, 6
3 43 Back Wall Panel – Left
   New York World's Fair, 1939
Region 11: Chautauqua – Allegany Region
3 44 Floor Case #2
3 45 Wall Cases #1, 2, 3
3 46 Floor Case #1
3 47 Scenic Panels
3 48 Agricultural Panel
   New York World's Fair, 1939
Region 12: Buffalo and Niagara Frontier Region
3 49 Wall Cases #1, 2, 3
3 50 Wall Cases #4, 5, 6
3 51 Floor Case #3
3 52 Florescent Minerals, 1940
3 53 Wall Cases #4, 5, 6
3 54 Floor Case #2 (Buffalo)
3 55 Floor Case #1
3 56 Panorama of Niagara Falls
3 57 Panorama of Niagara Falls
   New York World's Fair, 1939
Miscellaneous: New York Exhibits
4 1 Information Desk
4 2 General View - 1st Floor
4 3 General View - 1st Floor
4 4 "Governor Lehman Lays Corner Stone for New York State Building at World's Fair September 24, 1938"
4 5 New York State Day at Fair - September 29, 1939
4 6 Western New York Area
4 7 Adirondack and St. Lawrence Area
4 8 State Map at Entrance
4 9 Department of Agriculture and Markets
4 10 Division of the Budget
4 11 Fish and Game Conservation
4 12 Department of Correction
4 13 Conservation and Lands and Forests
4 14 Department of Health
4 15 Insurance Department
4 16 Alcoholic Beverage Control
4 17 Department of Mental Hygiene
4 18 Division of Military and Naval Affairs
4 19 Division of Military and Naval Affairs: World War Period
4 20 Bureau of Motor Vehicles, 1940
4 21 State Department of Labor
4 22 State Council of Parks
4 23 Power Authority of the State of New York
4 24 Division of State Planning
4 25 New York Police
4 26 Division of State Police
4 27 Bureau of State Publicity
4 28 Department of Social Welfare
4 29 State Agricultural Experiment Station – Geneva
4 30 University of the State of New York
4 31 Cornell University
4 32 State College of Home Economics – Cornell University
4 33 State College of Ceramics at Alfred University
4 34 The New York State College of Forestry at Syracuse University
4 35 Brooklyn's Children's Museum
4 36 Education Exhibit- School Media
4 37 Education Exhibit- Vocational Education
4 38 Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation
4 39 George Washington's Farewell Address and Manuscript Giving Opinions of His Generals
4 40 Honey Bee Exhibit
4 41 Indian Lore, Wall Cases # 1, 2, 3
4 42 Indian Lore, Wall Cases # 4, 5, 6
4 43 Abercrombie and Fitch: Winter Sports # 1, 2, 3
4 44 Abercrombie and Fitch: Winter Sports # 4, 5, 6
4 45 Macy's: Summer Sports # 1, 2, 3
4 46 Macy's: Summer Sports # 4, 5, 6
4 47 Amphitheater - Rear (?)
4 48 Amphitheater - Front (?)
4 49 Amphitheater - Side (?)
4 50 Scenic Mural - Thousand Island Bridge and St. Lawrence River
4 51 Back Panel - Region 6
4 52 Swimming
4 53 Fishing
4 54 Fowl Hunting
4 55 Skiing
4 56 Ice Hockey
4 57 Boating
4 58 Winter Sailing
4 59 Bobsled

Series 2: Ephemera of New York World's Fair, 1939 (Box 5)

Series 2 contains brochures, ticket stubs, newspaper articles, etc., related to the 1939 New York World's Fair.

Box Folder Description
    New York World's Fair, 1939
5 1 New York World's Fair Bulletin, May 23, 1938
5 2 New York World's Fair Bulletin, April 11, 1939
5 3 Brochure: Facts About the New York World's Fair
5 4 Booklets (2 items):
  1. League of Nations
  2. Ancient Diseases – Modern Defenses
5 5 Booklet: The Magna Carta Hall British Pavilion
5 6 Book: Man and His Health. New York: Exposition Publications, 1939. Print. (96p.)
5 7 New York World's Fair 1939 Bulletin
5 8 Booklet: Squibb Memoranda
5 9 New York 1939 World's Fair World
(4-page promotional piece; oversized)
5 10 New York 1939 World's Fair World
(4-page promotional piece; oversized)
5 11 Plan of the Medical and Public Health Buildings
New York World's Fair 1939 (50.5 cm x 39.5cm)
5 12 Lot Renting Plan of Section I
5 13 News Bulletin: Information on Medicine and Public Health
5 14 Theme Diagram: New York World's Fair 1939 (43 cm x 28 cm)
5 15 Brochure: New York World's Fair 1939
5 16 Invitation to the "Fighting Infantile Paralysis"  Exhibit
5 17 Aerial View of Flushing Meadows-Corona
5 18 1939 New York World's Fair: "At a Glance" (News Release)
5 19 Ephemera (8 items):
  • Postcards (5) (13.5cm x 8.5cm)
  • Ticket (11.5cm x 5.5cm)
  • Luggage Tag for the Park Central Hotel (16cm x 8cm)
  • Fold-out Postcard (13.5cm x 8.5cm)
5 20 Brochures (16 items):
  • The General Motors Exhibit Building (10.5cm x 22cm)
  • Visitor's Map and Hotel Directory of New York (9.5cm x 22cm)
  • Shell Accommodation Guide for the Visitors to the New York World's Fair (9.5cm x 21.5cm)
Booklet: The Town of Tomorrow: Houses 1-3, 5-6, 8, 10, 13, 15-17, 19, 21 (17.5cm x 25.5cm)
5 21 "Masterpieces of Art" Postcards (2 items)
5 22 Brochures (4 items):
  • Japanese Pavilion
  • Pan-American Union
  • U.S. Government Building
  • Travel by Train
5 23 Maps (2 items):
  • New York World's Fair, 1939
  • New York World's Fair and San Francisco World's Fair, 1939

Series 3: Ephemera of New York World's Fair, 1964 (Boxes 6-22)

Series 3 focuses on the 1964-1965 World's Fair.  Box 6 contains brochures from pavilions representing about 10 states in the United States; Box 7 contains brochures from pavilions representing about 20 countries or regions of the world.  Boxes 8 through the first half of 11 contain information on corporate exhibits.  The second half of Box 11 through Box 13 contains magazines with feature articles about the World's Fair.

Box Folder Description
    New York World's Fair, 1964
United States Pavilions and Exhibits
6 1 Florida Pavilion (5 items): brochures
6 2 Hawaii Pavilion (2 items): brochure and menu
6 3 Illinois Pavilion: magazine, May-June, 1964
6 4 Louisiana Pavilion: informational booklet
6 5 Minnesota Pavilion: informational booklet
6 6 Missouri Pavilion (4 items):
  1. brochures
  2.  informational booklet
  3.  Map
6 7 New England States Exhibition (12 items): press releases
6 8 New York City Pavilion (10 items): brochures (English and Spanish) and Dick Button's Ice-travaganza booklet 
6 9 New York State Exhibit (4 items): brochures
6 10 Oklahoma Pavilion (4 items):
  • press information
  • informational booklet
  • fact sheet
6 11 Texas Pavilion (10 items):
  • Music Hall photograph
  • "To Broadway with Love" flyers
  • folder with Texas Pavilions information
  • "Star of Texas" badge
  • Frontier Palace coupons
6 12 West Virginia Pavilion (4 items): brochures and informational booklet
6 13 United States Pavilion: brochure
    New York World's Fair, 1964
International Pavilions and Exhibits
7 1 African Pavilion: informational booklet
7 2 American-Israeli Pavilion: informational booklet
7 3 Austrian Pavilion (4 items):
  • brochures
  • informational booklet
  • gift shop bag
7 4 Belgian Village: magazine
7 5 China Pavilion (2 items): brochures
7 6 Denmark Pavilion (2 items): Scandinavian Times News magazine
7 7 Germany Exhibit (3 items): brochures
7 8 Republic of Guinea Pavilion: informational booklet
7 9 India Pavilion (3 items): informational booklets
7 10 Japanese Pavilion (10 items):
  • Japanese Exhibitors' Association Bulletins
  • brochures
  • shopping guide
  • Sakura Odori Cherry Blossom Dances booklet
7 11 Jordan (The Holy Land) Pavilion (2 items): brochures
7 12 Korea Pavilion (3 items): brochures and informational booklet
7 13 Lebanon Pavilion: informational booklet
7 14 Federation of Malaya Pavilion: informational booklet
7 15 Mexico Pavilion (5 items): brochures and informational booklet
7 16 Morocco Pavilion (4 items): informational booklets
7 17 Pakistan Pavilion: informational booklet
7 18 The Philippines Pavilion (2 items): informational booklets
7 19 Polynesian Pavilion (2 items): brochure and menu
7 20 Spain Pavilion (7 items):
  • informational booklets
  • flamenco dancer brochures
  • "Unknown Spain" brochure, Spain Pavilion gift shop bag
  • pavilion description pamphlet
7 21 Sweden Pavilion (5 items): informational booklets and "Creative Sweden" booklets
7 22 Switzerland Pavilion: brochure
7 23 Venezuela Pavilion (4 items):
  • informational booklets
  • "The Venezuelan Petrochemicals Institute" booklets
  •  pavilion description pamphlet
    New York World's Fair, 1964
Commercial, Theme, and other special Pavilions and Exhibits
8 1 American Express Pavilion (3 items): brochures
8 2 American Felt Company "The Miracle of St. Feutre" Exhibit (2 items): pamphlets
8 3 Art Exhibits at Fine Arts Pavilion (10 items):
  • Modern Artists Guild brochure
  • Florida Art and Cultural Events brochures
  • Wang Yinpao exhibit at New York State Pavilion pamphlets
  • "The Key to New York Art Galleries" booklet
  • "The City: Places and People" brochures
  • "Art '65" Information Services booklets
8 4 American Machine and Foundry Company "Ride the Monorail" (2 items): pamphlet and informational booklet
8 5 Better Living Center (5 items):
  • Hilton Café International brochure
  • Better Living Visitors Guides
  • Informational booklet
  • Kitchen-aid mail-in order form
8 6 Chrysler Corporation "Autofare" Exhibition (3 items): brochures and informational booklet
8 7 Coca-Cola Pavilion (5 items): brochures and informational booklet
8 8 Continental Insurance Pavilion (4 items): brochures and informational booklet
8 9 DuPont Pavilion (2 items): brochures
8 10 Electric Power and Light Exhibit (4 items):
  • Questionnaire cards
  • Brochure
  • Informational booklet
8 11 Ford Motor Pavilion "Wonder Rotunda" (8 items):
  • Ford Times (May, 1964)
  • Walt Disney Magic Skyway brochures
  • Philco product flyers
  • Aurora station wagon brochures
9 1 General Cigar Company "The Hall of Magic" (4 items): brochure and informational booklets
9 2 General Electric Company "Walt Disney's Progressland" (2 items): brochures
9 3 General Foods Archways (2 items): brochures
9 4 General Motors Pavilion (Futurama) (10 items):
  • Brochures
  • Informational booklets
  • Postcards
9 5 Billy Graham Pavilion (6 items): brochures and informational booklets
9 6 Kodak Pavilion (2 items): brochures
9 7 Lake Amusement Area (15 items):
  • Dancing Waters pictorial magazine, n.d.
  • Brochures
  • Pamphlets
  • Amusement Business magazine (May 30, 1964)
  • Photographs and attached descriptions of "Dancing Waters" show
  • Informational booklet
9 8 Lane Bryant-Long Island Rail Road Hospitality Center: brochures and hospitality package envelope (5 items)
9 9 World's Fair Marina (10 items):
  • Souvenir bag
  • "Improvements to Flushing Bay" booklets
  • Marina rates and reservation information
  • "Board the Bounty" brochures
  • "Johnson at the World's Fair Marina" guide
  • "Around the World in 80 Days" pamphlet
9 10 Navy-Marine Corps Exhibit (2 items): brochures
9 11 Owens-Corning Fiberglass Fair Headquarters (2 items): informational guides
9 12 Pepsi-Cola Exhibit (2 items): brochures
10 1 Pontiac Motor Division of General Motors Corporation (2 items): Pontiac Safari magazine, January-February, 1964
10 2 Olympics Information (4 items): The United States Olympic Trials of 1964 and Team Trials sheets (2/25/64)
10 3 Religious Pavilions (12 items):
  • Vatican Pavilion Ceremonies October 31, 1962 brochure
  • The Christian Science Pavilion, March 27, 1963 brochure
  • The Christian Science Pavilion, April 21, 1963 brochure
  • Assemblies of God brochure
  • Lutheran Exhibit brochures
  • The Greek Orthodox Exhibit brochures
  • The New York Bible Society brochures
10 4 Religious and Fraternal Organization Pavilions (6 items):
  • Bible House Exhibit magazine (August, 1964)
  • The Empire State Mason magazine (March-April, 1964)
  • Mormon Pavilion/Church of Latter Day Saints brochures
10 5 Schaefer Center (4 items): brochures and informational booklets
10 6 Hall of Science (7 items):
  • Brochures
  • Informational booklets
  • "Science at the Fair" publication
10 7 Seven-Up Exhibit: informational booklet
10 8 Sinclair Dino-land Exhibit (6 items): pamphlets and informational booklets
10 9 Singer Millionaire Fabric Collection: brochure
10 10 Texaco Exhibit at the New York State Pavilion (3 items): The Texaco Star magazine (1964) and Texaco Touring Kit bags
11 1 "Top of the Fair" Heliport (6 items): photograph folders and pamphlets
11 2 Travelers Insurance Exhibit "The Triumph of Man" (2 items): brochures
11 3 U.S. Royal – Giant Tire Ferris Wheel (2 items): brochures
11 4 United States Steel (7 items): Hall of Free Enterprise brochures and "Building a Unisphere" brochures
11 5 Western Union Exhibit at American Express Pavilion (2 items): Greeting Telegrams
11 6 Westinghouse Time Capsule Pavilion (2 items): brochures
    New York World's Fair, 1964
Magazines and Newspapers
11 7 (3 items)
The Boston Sunday Globe, April 1964, and "The Dunfeys Go to the Fair" Boston Sunday Herald, 1964 ( 2 copies)
11 8 Constructioneer,  May 3, 1965
11 9 Holiday, July 1964
11 10 Journal for American Pictorial Living, April 12, 1964
11 11 Life, March 23, 1964
11 12 Life, May 1, 1964
12 1 Look, February 11, 1964
12 2 National Geographic, July 1964
12 3 Newsweek, January 13, 1964
12 4 New York Mirror, November 17, 18, 19, 1961
12 5 New York Times, April 19, 1964
12 6 Parade (Long Island Sunday Press),  April 5, 1964
12 7 Suburbia Today (Magazine Section of Suburbanite- Economist Illinois), April 1964 (2 copies)
12 8 The [Philadelphia] Sunday Bulletin,  June 28, 1964
12 9 (2 items)
Sunday New York News
Colorato
12 10 Time, January 17, 1964
12 11 Time, June 5, 1964 (2 copies)
13 1 Today's Secretary, April 1964 (2 copies)
13 2 Travel, April 1964
13 3 TV Guide, April 18-24, 1964
13 4 The Westsider, Spring 1964
13 5 Women's Day, July 1964
    New York World's Fair, 1964
General Information: Banking and Calendar of Events
13 6 Banking Information
13 7 New York Calendar of Events [1 of 2]
13 8 New York Calendar of Events [2 of 2]
    New York World's Fair, 1964
General Information: Guides to the Fair
14 1 (2 items)
  • Cue Entertainment Guide, April 18, 1964
  • Long Island Guide, April 1965
14 2 Fun at the Fair guides (2 copies)
14 3 (4 items)
  • Visitors Guide and Map of New York (2 copies)
  • New York Visitors Guide and Map (2 copies)
14 4 World's Fair Maps and Guides (5 items):
  1. World's Fair Handbook by Eastern
  2. Your Guide to the New York World's Fair
  3. The New York World's Fair 1964-1965: A Preview
  4. A Guide to Manhattan and Map of the World's Fair (2 copies)
14 5 1965 Official Guide - New York World's Fair
14 6 1964 Visitors Guide to New York City and Long Island
1965 Edition American Airlines Guide Book to World's Fair and New York
14 7 1964 National Forests Visitors Guide
    New York World's Fair, 1964
General Information: Travel Information
15 1 Guides to World's Fair (6 items):
  1. Our Fair City: Chase Bank (2 items)
  2. Your Guide to the Fair - Traveler's Insurance (2 items)
  3. L.I. Guide August 1964 "Places to Go, Things to Do"
  4. "Take Me Out to the Fairgrounds" - Manufacturers Hanover Trust
15 2
  • How to See the New York World's Fair (2 copies)
  • 3 Thrifty Days at the World's Fair (2 copies)
15 3 Visitors Guides (9 items):
  1. Newsweek Visitors Guide to the New York World's Fair (2 copies)
  2. New York World's Fair Guide-Presented by Altos Hornos de Vizcaya, S.A.
  3. The New York World's Fair 1964-1965: A Preview, November 1962
  4. Avis Rent-a-Car maps (2)
  5. Your Guide to the Fair from the First National City Bank (2)
  6. Rockefeller Center World's Fair Multi-lingual Information Booth
15 4 New York World's Fair Corporation Housing Handbook
15 5 Hotel and Motel Guides (9 items):
  1. New York World's Fair Housing Bureau
  2. Directory of New York State: Hotels and Resorts (2 items)
  3. 1964 Rate Schedule (2 items)
  4. 1965 Rate Schedule
  5. Crossway Motor Inns
  6. How to Sleep Guests without a Guest Room
  7. Hilton Hotel (2 items)
  8. YMCA Residence Rooms for Men
15 6 Maps and Visitor's Guides (5 items):
  1. Subway map
  2. Map and Visitors Guide: Esso Oil
  3. Map: Texaco Oil
15 7 Visitor's Maps (8 items):
  1. Official Detailed Map (2 items)
  2. American Express Credit Card Dining Directory
  3. Tour guide Map: Gulf Gasoline
  4. Map: Sinclair Oil
  5. New York World's Fair/Greater New York and Thruways: Mobil
  6. Long Island and New York city: Mobil
15 8 Souvenir Maps (3 items):
  1. Official Souvenir Map 1964/1965
  2. Official Souvenir Map (2 items)
16 1 Visitor's Maps (5 items):
16 2 Visitor's Maps and Pamphlets (13 items):
16 3 Visitor's Guides (7 items):
16 4 Restaurants and Food at the Fair (5 items):
16 5 Tickets and coupons (11 bundles)
16 6 Tickets and coupons (11 bundles)
16 7 Brochures (15 items):
Ticket Information
16 8 Pamphlets (11 items):
Ticket Information
    New York World's Fair, 1964
General Information: Transportation Information
17 1 Transportation (Airlines and Boats) (21 items)
17 2 Transportation (Busses and Railroads) (15 items)
17 3 Transportation (Cars and Other) (15 items)
17 4 World's Fair Brochures (English, German, Italian, French and Spanish) (10 items)
    New York World's Fair, 1964
General Information: World's Fair Booklets and Brochures
17 5 Booklet: "The Fair for Students"
17 6 Booklet: Official Preview of New York World's Fair (Time-Life Books)
17 7 Booklet: "The Fair for Young Children"
17 8 Brochures: "Come To The Fair" Remarks from Robert Moses (25 items)
    New York World's Fair, 1964
General Information: World's Fair Corporation Administrative and Promotional Documents
18 1 1964-1965 Operations Manual
18 2 Welcome Brochure for New York World's Fair 1964-1965 (English, French, German, Italian and Spanish) (6 items)
18 3 Booklet: "Facts about the Fair" (2 items)
18 4 Official Folders (2 items)
18 5 List of Exhibitors (2 items)
18 6 Films at the Fair (2 items)
18 7 End of Fair News Releases (16 items)
18 8 Publication Information (6 items)
18 9 Brochure: "Family Fun at the Fair" (2 items)
18 10 Brochure: "Highlights of the Fair" (2 items)
18 11 Weekly Scheduled Events May 23-Sept. 5, 1965 (4 items)
19 1 New Attractions at the Fair (4 items)
19 2 Official Song: "Fair Is Fair" (2 copies)
19 3 New York World's Fair Financial Reports (4 items)
19 4 Booklet: "The Fair in 1965" (2 copies)
19 5 Progress Report Booklet: New York World's Fair 1964-1965 Corporation:  May 17, 1962
19 6 Progress Report Booklet: New York World's Fair 1964-1965 Corporation: September 12, 1962- 588 Days to Opening
19 7 Progress Report Booklet: New York World's Fair 1964-1965 Corporation: September 26, 1963
19 8 Progress Report Booklet: New York World's Fair 1964-1965 Corporation:  April 22, 1963- One Year to Go
    New York World's Fair, 1964
General Information: World's Fair Corporation Administrative Reports and Memoranda 
20 1 New York World's Fair Corporation: Unisphere Memorandum and Flushing Bay and River Waterfront Study (2 items)
20 2 Robert Moses Remarks brochures and "Fair Answers to Some Fair Questions" (12 items)
20 3 New York World's Fair Summary of Plans and New York World's Fair Manuals (5 items)
20 4 New York World's Fair 1964-1965 Corporation: Reports and Memoranda August 1, 1963-October 18, 1964 (19 items)
20 5 New York World's Fair 1964-1965 Corporation (22 items): Reports and Memoranda April 25, 1965-October 10, 1965
20 6 New York World's Fair 1964-1965 Corporation: Règles et Règlements (in French)
20 7 New York World's Fair 1964-1965 Corporation: Fair Statistics
    New York World's Fair, 1964
General Information: World's Fair Corporation Administrative and Promotional Materials
21 1 World's Fair in the Media (11 items): brochures and articles
21 2 Progress Report Booklet: New York World's Fair 1964-1965 Corporation:  May 17, 1962 (copy)
21 3 Progress Report Booklet: New York World's Fair 1964-1965 Corporation: September 12, 1962 - 588 Days to Opening (copy)
21 4 Progress Report Booklet: New York World's Fair 1964-1965 Corporation: September 26, 1963 - 454 Days to Opening (copy)
21 5 Progress Report Booklet: New York World's Fair 1964-1965 Corporation: April 22, 1963- One Year to Go (copy)
21 6 Assorted Ephemera:
  • Chrysler Corporation pin (2 items)
  • State Legislature slip (5 items)
  • Official New York World's Fair Travel Sticker
  • "Record Your Day" notecard (2 items)
  • Junior Expressway certificate
  • "See the Space Park" (2 items)
  • Stamp Packet (1 item)
21 7 Assorted Ephemera (3 items):
  1. Sweepstakes paper bag
  2. Travel Sticker
  3. The Pavilion Shop bag
Pamphlets (5 items):
  1. House of Good Taste Exhibit
  2. Mardi Gras
  3. Venga, Venga a la Verbena
  4. Equitable Pavilion
  5. Formica World's Fair House
  6. "I've Seen New York State at the Fair"
Brochures (4 items):
  1. World Coin Exposition (2 items)
  2. Your Guide to the General Motors Futurama
  3. New York Telephone Home News
21 8 Assorted Ephemera: Magazine articles (stapled together)
Brochures (2 items): You Should Have Been There 20 Years Ago
Booklets:
  • The Hall of Magic
  • Put "Theatre" in Your World's Fair Thinking
21 9 Brochures from the Attractions (13 items):
  • The Parker Pen Company (2 items)
  • Festival of Gas
  • Transportation and Travel Pavilion Inc.
  • House of Simmons (2 items)
  • Helpful Hints for Older Persons Visiting the New York World's Fair
  • Sir Winston Churchill: A Tribute
  • Underground World Home Corporation
  • Welcome to the IBM Pavilion
  • Fatten Up Your Wallet for the Fair
  • Visit the United Nations
  • Golden Rondelle at the Johnson's Wax International
21 10 Brochures from the Attractions (8 items):
  • Pavilion of the United Arab Republic
  • "The Story of Building"
  • Central America Pavilion
  • Dynamic Maturity: American Association of Retired Persons
  • American Association of Retired Persons Presents: Dynamic Maturity (2 items)
  • Scout Service Corps (2 items)
21 11 Brochures: Robert Moses Interviews (3 items)
21 12 Promotional Materials (18 items):
    New York World's Fair, 1964
General Information: World's Fair Special Events Programs
22 1 April 1964 (10 items)
22 2 May 1964 (30 items)
22 3 June 1964 (28 items)
22 4 July 1964 (29 items)
22 5 August 1964 (35 items)
22 6 September 1964 (28 items)
22 7 October 1964 (18 items)
22 8 April 1965 (10 items)
22 9 May 1965 (30 items)
22 10 June 1965 (30 items)
22 11 July 1965 (31 items)
22 12 August 1965 (31 items)
22 13 September 1965 (29 items)
22 14 October 1965 (18 items)

Series 4: Oversized Ephemera, 1893-1964 (Box 23)

Series 4 contains oversized ephemera, including posters and newspaper articles, from the Chicago Columbian Exposition of 1893, the Paris Exposition (Exposition Universelle) of 1900, the St. Louis Universal Exposition of 1904, the 1939 New York World's Fair, and the 1962 Seattle World's Fair, and posters from the 1964 New York World's Fair.

Box Folder Description

Chicago Columbian Exposition, 1893
23 1 "The Dream City: A Portfolio of Photographic Views of the World Columbian Exposition" No. 1
23 2 "The Dream City: A Portfolio of Photographic Views of the World Columbian Exposition" No. 2
23 3 "The Dream City: A Portfolio of Photographic Views of the World Columbian Exposition" No.3
23 4 "The Dream City: A Portfolio of Photographic Views of the World Columbian Exposition" No. 4
23 5 "The Dream City: A Portfolio of Photographic Views of the World Columbian Exposition" No. 5
23 6 "The Dream City: A Portfolio of Photographic Views of the World Columbian Exposition" No. 6


The Paris Exposition, 1900
23 7 The Paris Exposition Reproduced


Louisiana Purchase Exposition (St. Louis Universal Exposition), 1904
23 8 "The Forest City: A Portfolio of Official Photographic Views of the Universal Exposition" No. 1
23 9 "The Forest City: A Portfolio of Official Photographic Views of the Universal Exposition" No. 2
23 10 "The Forest City: A Portfolio of Official Photographic Views of the Universal Exposition" No. 3


New York World's Fair, 1939
23 11 Life: Fair Sculpture
23 12 New York Times, March 5, 1939
23 13 New York Herald Tribune, April 30, 1939
23 14 Booklet: "The City of Light" Edison Exhibit
23 15 "Highways and Horizons" General Motors Pavilion
23 16 Magazine Articles about Exhibits (6 items)
23 17 New York Herald Tribune, April 30, 1939, Section VII
23 18
  • Invitation for the presence of Joseph A. Murphy on April 30, 1939
  • Thank You from Park Central Hotel to Lyndon Briggs for patronage during 1939 World's Fair
  • Correspondence from C.E. O'Neil , March 28, 1940


Seattle World's Fair, 1962
23 19 Life: Seattle World's Fair, 1962
23 20 Life: Seattle World's Fair, 1962 (Copy 2)


New York World's Fair, 1964
23 21 New York World's Fair Posters (6 items)
23 22 New York World's Fair Posters: "Come Back to the Fair" (4 items)

Series 5: Ephemera of Chicago Columbian Exposition (1893) and Chicago World's Fair (1933) (Box 24)

Folders 1-9 in Series 5 contain pamphlets, booklets, a visitor's guide and postcard collections from the Chicago Columbian Exposition of 1893.  Folder 10 contains maps, pamphlets of various companies, and newspaper clippings of the 1933 fair.

Box Folder Description
    Chicago Columbian Exposition, 1893
24 1 Authentic Visitors Guide to the World's Columbian Exposition and Chicago, (Chicago 1893) (67p., 11cm x 16cm)
24 2 Columbian Exposition, Chicago, 1893 (2 items)
24 3 Commercial Instruction organized by the Paris Chamber of Commerce, Chicago World's Fair, 1893 (10p., 18.5cm x 26.5cm)
24 4 Map of the Columbian Exposition, Chicago 1893
24 5
  • October 9, 1893, ticket (9.5cm x 5cm)
  • Pamphlet: Souvenir of the World's Columbian Exposition presented by L. Prang and Co. (8.5cm x 13.5cm)
  • Booklet: Official World's Fair Guide (40p., 12.5cm x 19cm) Fragile
24 6 Official Catalogue of Exhibits: World's Columbian Exposition (Chicago 1893)  (196p., 21cm x 14.5cm)
24 7 Snap Shots or World's Fair through Camera: From Recent Photographs by F. Dundas Todd (Chicago 1893) (87p., 15.5cm x 12cm)
24 8 The Economizer: "How and Where to Find the Gems of the Fair. With Diagrams" (Chicago 1893) (68, 9cm x 16.5cm)
24 9 World's Fair Album of Chicago (Chicago 1893) (7p., 14cm x 22cm)
    Chicago World's Fair, 1933
24 10
  1. Newspaper clipping "Workshop of Roentgen in Chicago," 1933

Maps:

  1. Shell Metropolitan Map
  2. Conoco Travel Bureau Map
  3. The New World's Fair of 1934

Pamphlets:

  1.  Pure Oil Company Tiolene (9.5cm x 22cm)
  2. Skyride Towers and Ride (7.5cm x 14.5cm)
  3. How to Enjoy Vacation Days in Chicago (7.5cm x 14.5cm)

Series 6: Ephemera of Other Exhibitions and Expositions, 1876-1980 (Boxes 25-26)

Series 6 contains ephemera from other exhibitions and expositions held between 1876 and 1980.  The most interesting items in this collection are the souvenir booklets commemorating the exhibitions/expositions. Also included are visitors' guides, brochures and postcards.

Box Folder Description

Centennial Exhibition (Philadelphia, 1876 )
25 1 American Centennial, 1876 (8p., 14cm x 9.5cm)
25 2 Authorized Visitors Guide to the Centennial Exhibition and Philadelphia, 1876 (48p., 10.5cm x 16.5cm)
25 3 Guide to the Exhibition, 1876 (720p., 17cm x 24.5cm) (2 copies)
25 4 Official Catalogue (23cm x 30.5cm) Fragile
    Pan-American Exposition (Buffalo, New York, 1901)
25 5 Brochure: Board of Women Managers, Buffalo 1901 (9p., 11cm x 22cm)
25 6 Pan-American and Niagara Falls Views 1901 (6p., 14 cm x 8cm)
25 7 Brochure: Pan-American Exposition at Buffalo, Buffalo 1901 (5p., 20cm x 27.5cm)
25 8 Booklet: Souvenir of the Pan-American Exposition, Buffalo 1901 (24p., 17cm x 12cm)
25 9
  1. Souvenir Ticket  for October 9, 1901 (6cm x 11.5cm)
  2. Application for Money Order for Cosmos Pictures Co. (9.5cm x 12.5cm)
  3. Cosmos Pictures Co. (14.5cm x 23cm)
  4. Catalogue of the Exhibition of Fine Arts (92p., 13cm x 18.5cm)
    Louisiana Purchase Exposition (St. Louis Exposition), (St. Louis, Missouri, 1904)
25 10 Louisiana's Invitation: Resources Possibilities and Advantages of the Queen of Southern States (21p., 19.5cm x 12.5cm)
25 11 World's Fair Miniatures, 1904 (9p., 10cm x 7.5cm)
    Hudson-Fulton Celebration (New York and New Jersey, 1909)
25 12 Brochure: The Hudson-Fulton Celebration Along the Hudson River (New York 1909) (9.5cm x 22.5cm)
25 13 Illustrated Program and Souvenir of Hudson Fulton Celebration (New York 1909) (6p., 12.5 cm x 7.5cm)
25 14 Booklet: Official Program of the Hudson-Fulton Celebration (32p., 22.5cm x 30cm) Fragile
25 15 Program Guide (19cm x 25cm)
25 16 Ships of the United States and Foreign Navies at the Hudson-Fulton Celebration (New York 1909) (3p., 22.5 cm x 29.5cm)
    Panama-California Exposition (San Diego, California, 1915)
26 1 The Official Guide Book of the Panama-California Exposition, (San Diego 1915) (80p., 14.5cm x 22cm)
    California Pacific International Exposition (San Diego, California, 1935)
26 2 Postcard of Zoro Gardens (13.5cm x 8cm)
    New York State Fair (1958)
26 3 Department of Corrections Exhibit: brochures (2 items)
    Expo 67: International and Universal Exposition (Montreal, Canada, 1967)
26 4 Booklets (4 items): Expo 67 fold-out booklet
Brochures: Open House April 28-October 27, 1967 and Expo 67 Extra Cruise
26 5 (5 items)
  • Postcards  of Habitat 67, Pavilion of the United States, and General View of Ile Notre-Dame
  • Plan Officiel/Souvenir map
Brochure: Plan Now to Take a World Tour in 1967
   Miscellaneous
26 6 The Child Welfare Exhibition, Montreal 1912 (44p., 16.5cm x 24.5cm)
26 7 "Fairs Past and Present" by Colin Simkin, 1939 (31p., 27cm x 35cm) (2 copies)
26 8 The Post-Standard, Syracuse, 1947
26 9 The Jamestown Festival Official Program (Virginia 1957) (48p., 21cm x 26.5cm)
26 10
  • "The Spirit of America": An Exhibit from the American Red Cross, Los Angeles, California, 1980
  • "Pablo Picasso: A Retrospective" Museum of Modern Art, New York City 1980
Last Updated: December 27, 2021