1939 NYC World's Fair

Short booklet covering the fair's reopening in 1934.

This copy was presented to the President of Argentina (Roberto Marcelino Ortiz) and signed by Grover Whalen

Application forms for companies that want apply to be the manufacturer of the official guide book, souvenir book and programs for the fair.

American Society of Civil Engineer booklet with 44 pages about the engineering challenges of building the Trylon and Perisphere

A group of photo images on paper of various 1939 WF Pavilion models perhaps designed for investment purposes

An elaborately produced photographic record of the 1933-34 fair in Chicago produced by noted photo studio Kaufmann & Fabry.  Limited copies were printed and each dedicated to a notable fair supporter. This copy was dedicated to Frank O Wetmore who died in 1930 and was president of First National Bank and apparently and early fair trustee. 

Small, near-100 page booklet travel guide to New York and highlights of the 1939 WF.  Provided by Dreier Hotels which operated three hotels in the city

Small, 60 page manual detailing the procedures for employees who sell tickets and handle the cash brought in. 

Brochure for the Democracity exhibit inside the Trylon and Perisphere along with some collateral materials

Bulletin one year before the fair opened

The "Participation" issue of the bulletin.

The second bulletin with a focus on the theme(s) of the fair

21-page edition of the bulletin nearly two years before the fair opened with general updates.

International themed edition of the bulletin.

24-page document published in 1939 at the end of the fair's construction progress.  Appear to be the final "Bulletin".

17 page publication dated January 1937 covering status of construction and the history of the fair's development up to that time.

20+ page magazine covering all of the progress made constructing the pavilions for the fair

8-page pamphlet regarding hearing tests given at the bell Systems Pavilion at the fair

100 page book from the French Pavilion which appears to be signed by the President of France.

Two books related to the Time Capsule buried for the fair.  1) Story Of The Time Capsule - a smaller booklet that details the reason for its creation, how it was made and everything inside of it.  2) The official Book Of Record Of The Time Capsule which is designed for those who open the capsule to learn about America in 1939 with an emphasis on language.

Script for the Con Ed pavilion's City of Light attraction.  Also contains Con Ed training program coursework.

Pre-fair publication (1936) discussing the theme of the Fair - "Building The World of Tomorrow." This pre-dates the development of the Trylon & Perisphere. Former Library Of Congress copy.

Two brochures featuring rules and regulations for exhibitors and concessionaires.  These are former Library of Congress copies.

A 34-page proposal for a suspended monorail system to transport visitors around the fair grounds. 

Horn & Hardart brochure with a map of all of its locations and two panels about the Fair.

Colorful, detailed brochure of the fives types of cars that were on exhibit at the fair.

Almost 80 pages of press releases covering the rationale, construction and contents for Westinghouse's time capsule buried at the fair.

A history of World's Fairs and overview of the 1939 World's Fair published by the Encyclopaedia Britannica for younger readers

Catalog of books published by the noted French publisher Larousse which is still in business.  The catalog was printed especially for the fair.

40 page booklet with extensive descriptions and photographs of each area of the pavilion.

Small brochure from the Turkish Pavilion covering the items on sale including food, cigarettes, clothes and the restaurant.

Short brochure about the World's Largest Store Counter Display which was the gimmick at the Wrigley's Gum pavilion.

16-page brochure detailing the sanitary requirements for vendors at the fair.

Oversized, photographic brochure about the country. 

15 page typed folder with overview of key facts about the fair compiled for Con Ed. Employees.

12-page official pamphlet numbered Vo1 1, No.1 and dated 10/36 covering construction work at the site of the 1939 WF.

26-page typed booklet with each day's events at the fair for June-Oct 1939.  Dated 6/5/1939 Dept. of Program Coordination. 

4-page pamphlet sponsored NY the Medical Society of County of Queens announcing $1 chest X-rays by "new Rapid Method" at the fair. 

A fold-out map of the fair prepared for a Helen Hassler by her unidentified electric company.

A guide to advertising in/on the NYC public transportation system during the 1939 WF. Includes a still-attached proposal mail-in card. 

3-day itinerary for a Lucille Prescott of Dover, NH proposed by Arnold Tours of Boston.

Multiple booklets detailing rules and regulations for exhibitors and their pavilions. 

Three published reports with official updates on organization and financial details regarding the fair

This copy of the book is signed in 1940 by Fiorello LaGuardia, Mayor of NYC, and all borough Presidents

Sales brochure for manufacturing/building corporations to participate in the homes that comprise the Town Of Tomorrow.

Details on concession revenues at the 1904-1936 fairs to help inform potential of 1939 fair.

200+ page guide to NYC newspaper advertising spending and other city market data with a section on the NYWF.  

100+ page book detailing all the codes for building pavilions at the Fair. 

30-page booklet detailing all 612 movies that were exhibited at the 1939 World's Fair

Magazine for secretaries, stenographers, and typists with Trylon and Perisphere on the cover.

In-house RH Macy publication for employees.

32 page magazine document this odd exhibit at the Fair.

Collection of model shots for 1939 women's fashions taken at the Eastman Kodak pavilion

Pocket-sized,32-page guide to NYC traffic rules for 1939. This is a special edition published for the fair - presumably for all the people driving to the fair who are new to the city.

12-page, attractive opening day program for the 1939 World's Fair on 4/30/1939.

More elaborate than it sounds - a souvenir record of the "Copper & Brass Industry Exhibit at the 1939 World's Fair Metals Building".  Contains 29 individually-numbered original photos. 

Hard-cover book for employees of the Westinghouse exhibit with details of each section.

Bonny Maid was a rugs and floor covering company and this is a Fair overview sponsored by the company and apparently sold by George Nestler Stores.

Incredibly detailed 130-page coverage of a Fair Board of Director's meeting on 8/4/1938.  Long section on fair licensees.

Two used post cards with images of the EX_LAX exhibit and Futurama pavilion sent my different fair goers to family members in New Jersey.

1940 small map of the fair printed by Greyhohound

1939 pamphlet for the GM pavilion.

Booklet for the Norman Bel Geddes - designed attraction about travelling by car in the future.

Clever paper map where user pulls card out of sleeve a certain length to determine where an attraction is on the fair grounds 

Ticket for the 2nd year of the fair with attached stub for Perisphere or Miniature Rooms

Copy #88 out of 800 of this commemorative GM Futurama book.

Brochure for the exhibit sponsored by the electricity utility industry

Booklet filled with photographs from the 2nd year of this Chicago fair.

Invitation to the opening of the "Exhibits Of Tomorrow - Fashion, Color, Chemicals, Clocks"

1940 newsletter style brochure for the Ford Pavilion

Promotional item for Western Union - fair goers could send a real telegraph for 25 cents using the "New Automatic Telegraph - The Telegraph of Tomorrow". 

Completed jigsaw puzzle map sponsored by Sloan's Liniment w/ original mailing envelope.

Souvenir map of the fair sponsored by GM's Highways and Horizons. 

Map showing routes to the fair from various points of NYC.

Most famous as the father of modern puppetry, Tony Sarg was also an illustrator who created this elaborate map of the fair grounds.

Souvenir booklet from the Japanese Pavilion with a guide to all of the exhibits

Sales/promotional kit for a savings club sent to banks  o encourage people to save up for a trip to the 1939 WF.

Near-100 page guide to merchandise sold at the Fair.

A fantastic 300 page A-Z "Informational Manual" about the 1939 World's Fair, published by the Fair Corp's Office Manager.

Heavily illustrated book of the plans for the 4/30/1938 Fair motorcade/preview that happened in NYC

Archive of ten World's Fair menus including the Swiss Pavilion, Rheingold Inn, and Casino of Nations.

Spring 1939 / World's Fair edition of the Sealtest Food Adviser.

1940 pamphlet promoting the  World's Fair offices which were open to the public and showcased "the most advanced types of office equipment".

Two-sided document with the phone numbers for the all World's Fair buildings, pavilions and attractions.  All numbers start with HA(vemyr) or NE(wtwn), when phone numbers started with letters.

April 1939 edition of Ford News which focused exclusively on the World's Fair. 

Booklet from the Underwood pavilion.

Booklet from the Ford pavilion.

Two passes for reporters at the Fair -- 1) Houston Post reporter 2) Restaurant Corp. employee

April 1939 edition of the Bakelite Review with the Trylon and Perisphere on the cover.

Pavilion brochure with history of Kraft and recipes.

Week ending July 8 edition of the Chicago Century of Progress magazine with articles and calendar of events. 

5/3/40 World's Fair official inter-office memorandum from the Executive VP regarding regulating phone calls due to the high volume of calls going through the WF phone switchboard.

Very nice example of this rare souvenir - a pocket calendar - from the 1939 World's Fair

Hardback booklet documenting Kodak's pavilion and exhibit at the 1939 World's Fair with excellent photos (which seems fitting).  This was, of course, when Kodak was king of its industry.

Great mid-century artwork on this Maxwell House World's Fair menu.

Woolworth map of the 1939 World's Fair - more great art

15 brochures for each of the 15 demonstration homes at the "Town of Tomorrow" - 

Sales brochure for the latest in gas ranges - part of the The NEw England Home at the Town of Tomorrow exhibit. 

Small 1939 United Airlines brochure focusing on the flights that can bring people to New York for the World's Fair. Includes nifty advertising for NYC businesses.

A small handbook with rules and instructions for fair employees.

An odd, compact, 64-page pamphlet covering all foot ailments and the shoes of the era one can buy from Dr. Scholl's to prevent them. It even comes with an unopened package of "Zino-pads" to remove corns.

This July 1936 edition was the first of a monthly publication from the Queens Chamber of Commerce to help generate public interest in attending the fair.

This very large and lavishly illustrated hardcover book - 24 in x 19 in - was published in 1936 to help promote the fair.