Customer Reviews

World's Fair Collectibles: Chicago, 1933 and New York, 1939 (Schiffer Book for Collectors)

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I am an avid collector of 1933-34 Chicago World's Fair memorabilia so naturally I was anxious to get my hands on a copy of this guide. Howard Rosen filled this collector's guide with an abundant amount of colorful photographs of items ranging from vases, bookmarks, china, tapestry, and posters from both the 1933 and 1939 World's Fairs. Also included is a brief explanation of why these two World's Fairs were so important for the psyche of the country during the Depression era.

Notwithstanding, I have two points that I would like to clarify about this guide. First, it is not an exhaustive display of all memorabilia available from these two World's Fairs. Rather it is simply a display of one individual's collection. Therefore there are many items in my own personal collection that were not included in this guide. Second, as with other collector's guide the prices provided by Howard Rosen should be only taken with a grain of salt. With the advent of the internet and such sites as eBay one can purchase the same displayed items in this guide for much cheaper. Shop around as there are still deals waiting to be grabbed.

Despite these two setbacks I have enjoyed browsing through this guide. It provides a great idea of what items are available for collecting that I have not seen before.

Fascinating book about the fair and the era of our country's history - all tied together by a great index.

This is a very useful guide for persons interested in both high-end and common souvenirs of the 1939 NY World's Fair, The World of Tomorrow. It contains descriptions, photos, and suggested prices ... a must for EBay buyers.

Many of the items depicted were in the Art-Deco style, and the fair and its memorabilia are a reflection of an optimistic view of science, technology, and progress in general. You will experience an idealized future that lovers of science fiction will really enjoy.

Half of the book is devoted to the 1933 Chicago Fair, A century of Progress. Again, the theme was optimism about science and progress. Everyone who is the least bit interested in either Fair should read or see David Mamet's Play, The Water Engine, which is partly about the Chicago Fair and very much about technology, business, and progress.

BTW, you will enjoy this book even if you did not go to either Fair and even it you weren't alive at the time. The book will help you do some American time travelling.