Ever attended a World Fair? World Fairs traditionally serve as a launch for inventors and commemoration for national achievements. They are generally well marketed and organized, bringing a profit to the city in which they are set as the venue. 

For instance, the 1893 World Fair in Chicago “marked the rebirth of culture and architecture after the devastating 1871 Chicago Fire and gave birth to many movements, institutions and companies. The exposition was so cleverly organized and marketed that it made a profit of $2.7 million. And where would we be without the Ferris wheel — invented as a symbol and draw for the fair.” says, Debbie Smart, a collector of 1893 World’s Fair memorabilia.

As a result, there are avid collectors today who assemble large collections either from one of the fairs or multiple fairs. One such collector is Albert Fisher. “His acquisition of fair-related items has led to what’s become the largest private collection of items from three World’s Fairs. It began when his boss at a New Orleans television station was moving to work at the Seattle World’s Fair in 1962, and asked Fisher to join him…In the course of his travels, Fisher has sought out Fair-related collectibles. He focuses on the three fairs that most interest him: those that took place in 1939-40 and 1964-65 (New York) and 1962 (Seattle). He estimates he has “95 percent of everything that was available” from those three. His collection includes mass-produced souvenirs; rarer pieces, such as a working 1939 Remington typewriter with Trylon and Perisphere logo; as well as one-of-a-kind stunners, such as a solid gold medallion presented to Robert Moses, president of the ’64 Fair.”

Albert Fisher at 1964 New York World's Fair

Referring to the 1962 World’s Fair, Seattle World’s Fair Website says, “This first space aged fair drew over 10 million visitors from around the world to Seattle.  It was meant to give a glimpse of the 21st Century.  It was a hopeful, ambitious and innocent time in the history of the country. Memorabilia from the fair serve as cultural artifacts of the time and in 2012 it will be 50 years.”

From this exciting time in history, we offer a set of four frosted glasses advertising the event! During that era, many were sold or given as game prizes and others were part of a sales promotion. We have the Space Needle in light blue, the Monorail in yellow, the  Coliseum 21 in brown and Boulevards of the World in red. The retro colors are great for decorating as well as fun use!

1962 World's Fair Advertising Glasses

“There are millions of Worlds Fair items that are collectible today. Especially the 1893 Columbian Exposition and the 1938-39 World’s Fair. Some collectors specialize in one area of items , for example all paper items, while the next collector may want only glassware pieces.” This article and the collage photo below shows a small collection of items from the 1964-65 Worlds Fair held in New York.”

1964-65 Worlds Fair Memorabilia

Wiki states, “Today’s world expositions embody elements of all three eras. They present new inventions, facilitate cultural exchange based on a theme, and are used for city, region and nation branding.”

Collecting World Fair Memorabilia can be a profitable past time – even gathering souviners from current events for future collectors.