Herron, Kristin Stacy, author.

Destined to be forgotten : souvenirs of American world's fairs, 1853-1893 / by Kristin Stacy Herron.

1993.

xi, 89 leaves : illustrations ; 28 cm

As products of the earliest American fairs and the early years of mass-marketed souvenirs in the United States, world's fair souvenirs produced between 1853 and 1893 prove telling about the production and consumption of seemingly mundane commercial goods. They serve as previously unconsidered artifactual evidence which provides information regarding the marketing of fairs, experiences of the fair visitor, and the importance of learning from these objects instead of assuming what they insinuate.
In considering the complexities of the world's fair souvenir, the objects themselves, as well as official fair documents, guidebooks, images, advertisements, diaries and personal and travel accounts from four of the seven American world's fairs held between 1853 and 1893 provide information about the context in which these souvenirs were produced and purchased. Because a greater variety and quantity of commercial souvenirs were produced for the World's Columbian Exposition (1893), and because it served to introduce and promote the sales of two new souvenir-types, it necessarily receives more attention than the fairs of New York (1853), Philadelphia (1876) and New Orleans (1884-5).
By looking closely at these objects and assimilating documentary evidence, it appears that world's fair souvenirs can provide fictional accounts of a fair experience. Many commercially-made souvenirs were never sold on the fairgrounds, so people who did not attend may well have owned objects with text or images commemorating a fair. Objects emphasized certain structures and included images of buildings which were never built. Such objects, considered by historians today, can provide a false impression of a visit to the fair through these fantastical or edited images. Souvenirs, however, also provided individuals with an opportunity to earn a living by capitalizing on a popular event. Such complexities further provide a means to explore the narrative of maker, vendor, purchaser and owner in the United States during the latter half of the nineteenth century.

Exhibitions Collectibles United States.
Souvenirs (Keepsakes) United States.
Souvenirs (Objets) États-Unis.
Exhibitions Collectibles.
Souvenirs (Keepsakes)
United States.

Academic Dissertation
Theses.
Academic theses.
Thèses et écrits académiques.

Garrison, J. Ritchie, 1951- degree supervisor.
University of Delaware, degree granting institution.
University of Delaware. Winterthur Program in Early American Culture.

Souvenirs of American world's fairs, 1853-1893

Location: Library main 106327
Call No.: ID T395.5.U5; ID:94-B2464
Status: Available