1933-1934 Chicago World’s Fair Collectibles

Join the Century of Progress With 1933-1934 Chicago's World Fair Collectibles

The Chicago's World Fair in 1933 was a huge success, so the fair dates were extended into 1934. Many people took the train or drove automobiles to the fair that was a bright ray of hope during the Great Depression. You can find many types of Chicago's World Fair collectibles from vendors, attendees, and the government when you shop on eBay.

Types of postcards made to promote the Century of Progress International Exposition

You can find many types of postcards from the Chicago's World Fair of 1933 and 1934, including:

• Advertising postcards - Many companies, including The Burlington Railroad, Firestone, General Cigar Company, and General Motors, printed special postcards that customers could send to their friends from the World's Fair.
• Linen postcards - Many full-color linen postcards showcasing overhead scenes from the 1933 World's Fair and the 1934 World's Fair may be available for collecting.
• Black-and-white postcards - Many black-and-white close-up views of buildings in the Rainbow City may be available for collecting.
• Postcard souvenir books - These special postcards unfolded like a book to reveal artist's renditions of things happening at the Century of Progress Fair.

Were any guidebooks published for the 1933 and 1934 World's Fair?

Yes, many different guidebooks that are available as memorabilia were published for the 1933 Chicago World's Fair and 1934 World's Fair, including:

• Official Book of the Fair - Walter E. Ohlson illustrated the Official Book of the Fair. This book has the dates 1932 and 1933 on its cover, as the publishers intended buyers to use it as a planning guide. The book does not cover the 1934 World's Fair, because it was not even planned until after the earlier fair became a huge success.
• Official Guide Book of the Fair - This is another guide book published before the 1933 World's Fair opened. After organizers announced the 1934 World's Fair, publishers printed a supplemental book.
• 1934 Official Fair Guide Book- This book contains many illustrations about the fair that were created by Raymond Katz, aka "Sandor" Sandor, who designed most of the fair's advertising posters.
• Official Pictures of the 1934 World's Fair - This book put out by the fair committee contained many photos from the fair that over 40 governmental dignitaries visited.

Were any medals created for the 1933 World's Fair?

Yes, several 1933 Century of Progress souvenir medals were created for the Chicago World's Fair of 1933 and 1934. The official medal of the fair, which was available in three sizes, showed a male loin-cloth-clad figure on its front and a map of the fairgrounds on the reverse. Many companies also created their own special medals for the fair. A & P carnival dollars showed a pig holding a bowl of fruit and vegetables on its reverse and the company's name surrounded by a wreath on the front. Greenduck medals show a female holding a log cabin on their front and a map of the fairgrounds on its reverse.