Guide books detail 1901 Expo souvenirs

They came, they saw, they shopped. Trinket manufacturers anticipated the arrival of millions of visitors to the Pan-American Exposition, knowing that many wanted go home with a souvenir, and they were happy to oblige.

All kinds of objects were produced to commemorate the 1901 Exposition, including tickets, posters, photographic albums, stereoviews, guidebooks, postcards, sheet music, tokens and medals, cups and mugs, spoons, glassware, trays, bookmarks, buttons, paperweights, playing cards, letter openers, lamps, ribbons and scarves.

For those who have a piece of Pan-Americana, however, determining its maker or value is not always simple. Presently, there is no single comprehensive source that documents all Pan-American Exposition memorabilia. However, a few general antique and collector's guides devote a page or two to Pan American souvenirs. Current books in the collection of the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library listing some Pan-American items include:

• Kovel's Antiques and Collectibles Price List, 32nd ed. (2000), pp. 860-864

• Schroeder's Antiques Price Guide, 18th ed. (2000), p. 570

• Warman's Antiques & Collectibles Price Guide, 33rd ed. (1999), p. 624

• Today's Hottest Collectibles (1998), p. 356

Photocopies of these pages and similar articles are found in the Central Library's Special Collections Department located at 1 Lafayette Square in downtown Buffalo. Ask the librarian for the vertical file Pan-American Exposition -- Collectibles.

For those who wish to meet other collectors, there are two relevant organizations, both of which send out newsletters to members:

Pan American Expo Collectors' Society
c/o Fred Lavin
1 Fir Top
Orchard Park, N.Y. 14127
(716) 662-5261

Membership: $10 per year for individuals, $15 per year for families. Meets every other month. Presently has about 65 members.

World's Fair Collectors Society, Inc.
P.O. Box 20806
Sarasota, Fla. 34276-3806
(941) 923-2590
wfcs@aol.com
http://members.aol.com/Bbqprod/wfcs.html

Collectors with Internet access (available at your local library) may choose a search engine and enter the phrase Pan-American Exposition collectibles, or visit the following sites:

http://www.the-forum.com/collect/worldfai.htm#PanAm

http://www.tias.com/stores/srail/1901-1.html

http://listings.ebay.com/aw/plistings/list/category4165/index.html

For additional information about the Pan-American Exposition, contact the Special Collections Department at (716) 858-7114 or visit the downtown library.

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