1939-1940 New York World's Fair Souvenir Compact
1939-1940 New York World's Fair Souvenir Compact
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- Description (Brief)
- Souvenir metal makeup compact from the 1939-1940 New York World’s Fair. The compact features the two signature architectural elements from the Fair, the Trylon and the Perisphere.
- The Trylon was a 610 foot triangular pylon, and the Perisphere a massive globe, 180 feet in diameter. A 950 foot ramp known as the Heliceline connected the two, and together, the three features constituted the Fair’s “Theme Center.”
- Designed by architects Wallace Harrison and J. André Fouilhoux, the buildings, comprising simple yet novel forms, were marvels of engineering consistent with the Fair’s goal of exhibiting a “World of Tomorrow.” In that vein, the interior of the Perisphere featured a dynamic dioramic exhibit, “Democracity,” intended to inspire visitors with visions of future urban utopias.
- Images of the Trylon and Perisphere were used as logos for the Fair, and were featured on an abundance of souvenir items like this compact. The influence of Art Deco on the Fair’s vision of modernity can be seen in the compact’s design, which embraces the streamlined style.
- Made from celluloid, the glittering compact made by Girey Inc., in its signature “Kamera Pak” design (intended to resemble a camera ) snaps open to reveal a mirror. Compacts became popular accessories during the 1920s-1930s as it became fashionable for women to wear more pronounced makeup in public.
- During its run, the 1939-1940 New York World’s Fair attracted nearly 45 million people to its site in Flushing Meadows. At the Fair, visitors were introduced to advancements in such technologies as television, color photography, synthetic materials and robotics, as well as a wide variety of consumer goods and entertainments.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Object Name
- Compact
- Date made
- 1939
- Associated Date
- 1939
- 1940
- place made
- United States: New York, Queens
- Associated Place
- United States: New York, New York City
- United States: New York, Queens
- Physical Description
- metal (overall material)
- glass (overall material)
- Measurements
- overall: 1 3/4 in x 3/8 in x 3 1/4 in; 4.445 cm x.9525 cm x 8.255 cm
- ID Number
- 1989.0438.1629
- catalog number
- 1989.0438.1629
- accession number
- 1989.0438
- catalog number
- NY1939JP14
- Credit Line
- The Larry Zim World's Fair Collection
- subject
- Expositions and Fairs
- New York World's Fair (1939)
- See more items in
- Cultural and Community Life: Entertainment
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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