For decades, children and adult have carried home momentos and souvenirs after trips to the fair.  Since 1851, The World's Fair has produced an amazing assortment of memorabilia from the mass-produced penny trinkets to one-of-a-kind treasures.  

Whether a novice or long-time collector, eBay provides buyers the unique opportunity to discover World's Fair souvenirs that have been made in its during their 150+ year history!

History of the World's Fair

From the first World's Fair held in 1851 in London, these fairs sponsored have introduced new ideas, cultures, and inventions... to the world.   They wanted to create a lasting memory.  To help make that happen, they offered visitors countless different souvenirs and mementos. 

These souvenirs tell a great story, a story about the human society.  Through World's Fair photos and drawings, we get a window into how people lived at the time....a snapshot of history! 

The variety of souvenirs and items from World's Fair events is mind-boggling....everything from dainty handkerchiefs to children's toys.   Even the most avid collector is sure to find a never-before-seen piece from time to time.  eBay is a great opportunity for both novice and long-time collectors to find an ever-changing selection of World's Fair items!

Locations and Dates of World Fairs & Expositions

• 1851 London
• 1855 Paris
• 1862 London
• 1867 Paris
• 1873 Vienna
• 1876 Philadelphia
• 1878 Paris
• 1880 Melbourne
• 1889 Paris
• 1893 Chicago
• 1897 Brussels
• 1900 Paris
• 1904 St. Louis
• 1905 Liege
• 1906 Milan
• 1910 Brussels
• 1913 Ghent
• 1915 San Francisco
• 1933/34 Chicago
• 1937 Paris
• 1939/40 New York
• 1958 Brussels
• 1962 Seattle
• 1964/65 New York
• 1967 Montreal
• 1970 Osaka
• 1982 Knoxville
• 1986 Vancouver
• 1992 Seville
• 1998 Lisbon
• 2000 Hanover
• 2005 Nagoya

Popular Items From World's Fairs...to name just a few

Souvenir Spoons...these little treasures are extremely popular collectibles from World's Fairs.  The metal content varies depending on the spoon.  These are great for new collectors since a nice assortment can be found for a relatively reasonable price.  Many of the spoons feature images of significant buildings and exhibits at the fairs on the bowl.

Advertising Posters...World's Fair posters are another collecting niche amongst World's Fair collectors.  With the vibrant colors and eye-catching designs, World's Fair posters are great fun.  Posters that also feature other details like the Southern Pacific Railroad (pictured above) are desirable not only by World's Fair collectors, but also appeal to collectors of transportation memorabilia.  Be careful for reproductions and reprints of originals.

Postcards....long before e-mails and instant text messages, many people sent postcards to their families while on vacation.  The World's Fair was a perfect venue for getting a postcard to send home.  The unique buildings and great scenes depicted make picture postcards a great collectible from the World's Fair expositions.  You may want to ask whether or not the postcard has been written on and/or mailed.

Programs and Guides... the variety of programs and guides available from different World's Fair is amazing.  Not only was it the different exhibits that issued guides highlighting their innovations, but also area hotels, gas stations, and businesses got in on the act with their own guides, maps, and special brochures. 

Questions to Ask Before Buying

Condition - Although there is a possibility that the World's Fair item was never used, never handled and stored in a climate-controlled facility...chances are good that while the item may have been displayed and not damaged, it likely has suffered some deterioration due to aging. 

• Has the souvenir been repaired?  Restored?  Are all parts, pages, or pieces original?  
• How is the shape?  Been folded in a box?  For metal items or spoons, are they dinged?  Any holes? 
• Are programs intact?  Is the writing still legible? 
• Is the piece an original?  Is it a reproduction?  Repainted or restored?  Is the original paint intact?  

Provenance - Everyone loves a good story and the provenance of a World's Fair item tells the story of its history.  Documentation of the provenance of a souvenir is an invaluable asset to a collector, especially for souvenirs sold at a premium because of their association with particular World's Fair or well-known figure.  The provenance is helpful in determining whether the World's Fair item and/or claim to historic prominence is authentic.

• Are there any historical documents or historical photographs (like the ones below) available recording the World's Fair souvenirs?
• If documents do exist, are they available for purchase?  Or could a copy be provided?
• How did the seller acquire the World's Fair item?  Passed down through generations?  An estate sale?
• Is there any documented proof of the purchase or how the piece changed hands? 

Resources for World's Fair Collectors

Knowledge is power....which is so true for collectors of vintage mementos from past World's Fair.  World's Fair books give buyers a guide to the world of collecting historical memorabilia.  World's Fair reference books empower buyers with an informed ability to spot great buys on eBay for World's Fair souvenirs, as well as every kind of World's Fair memorabilia imaginable.    

• The 1964-1965 New York World's Fair (Images of America) by Bill Cotter and Bill Young
• All the World's a Fair : Visions of Empire at American International Expositions, 1876-1916 by Robert W. Rydell 
• Columbian World's Fair collectibles, Chicago (1892-1893) by Howard M. Rossen
• NY World's Fair Collectibles, 1964-1965 (Schiffer Book for Collectors) by Joyce Grant
• Official Souvenir Book (New York World's Fair 1964/1965) by the editors of Time Life books
• World of Fairs : The Century-of-Progress Expositions by Robert W. Rydell
• World's Fair by E. L. Doctorow
• World's Fairs by Erik Mattie
• World's Fair Collectibles: Chicago, 1933 and New York, 1939 (Schiffer Book for Collectors) by Howard M. Rossen
• Worlds Fair Memorabilia (Official Price Guide Series) by Richard Friz

Helpful Tips for Buying World's Fair Collectibles

• Do Your Research - Learn as much as you can about your desired souvenir.  Not all sellers are knowledgable of the difference between items available at various World's Fairs.  If their description and/or photo leaves a question in your mind, then remember to ask the seller before the auction ends.  This lets you clear up things before the sale and keeps both you and the seller on the road to a successful transaction. 
• Understand eBay Jargon - Check out the list of eBay acronyms so that you can more quickly distinguish NM (near mint) from MNB (mint no box).  Informed buyers make smart buyers!
• Use different keywords - The Advanced Search option provided by eBay lets buyers search titles or the title and description or completed items. Keep in mind that not everyone will precisely list an item as a 1939 New York World's Fair Program.   Rather than getting discouraged...expand your search, you might discover a piece listed simply under World's Fair Program or NY World's Fair.   Another helpful hint is to misspell your search terms...like fair progarm.  Changing your search increases the chances of finding your item. Save your search on your personalized My eBay page and receive an email notification when a new listing is posted.
• Remember eBay Stores - eBay offers buyers another area for World's Fair items through eBay Stores featuring historical mementos. With great inventory selections and frequent updates, you just might find the perfect World's Fair novelty.  If you are still in search of a particular memento from a World's Fair, be sure to post a notice to sellers in eBay's Want It Now section.
• Bid Safely and Smartly - Review the seller's feedback rating are their customers consistently happy with their purchase?  Do they have experience selling historical collectibles?  Are items sold "as is" or with a "satisfaction guarantee"?  Is there a shipping/handling fee? If you win the bid, keep in mind that PayPal provides buyers with a safe and secure means to purchase items without revealing their credit card numbers to sellers....this is a welcome (and free!) alternative.
• Savor the Journey - In conclusion....have fun with it! eBay is a great way to peek through an amazing selection of World's Fair souvenirs and vintage World's Fair items.  Discover pieces you did not know existed, meet other historical collectors, and remember....your dream vintage treasure from a World's Fair exposition awaits!