Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Souvenirs from 70 years ago

Souvenir stands are nothing new; I'm sure there were trinkets to take home at the first world's fair. Here's one I bet many of us would have love to be able to visit via the friendly time machine.



This was just one of the hundreds of places to part with your money so you coud bring home part of the 1939-1940 New York World's Fair. Let's take a closer look.




You could probably retire if you could sell everything in that picture now on eBay.

Saturday, January 23, 2010

I decided to stay with the theme of souvenirs.



This booth was at Vancouver's Expo 86. There was a nice assortment of the usual items, including pennants, shirts, toys, etc. One of the best selling souvenirs of Expo 86 was the fair's masoct, Expo Ernie. The cute little robot was one of the best selling fair mascots for any exposition. He was available as a stuffed toy, key chain, on buttons, shirts and more. I don't know if they sold any robotic Ernie toys but that would have seemed like a natural fit.

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

More souvenir dogs

Guests at the 1964-1965 New York World's Fair could also take home a large stuffed dog if they happened to be in the mood.



I would have preferred the banner under the dogs myself. One of these sold last year for a tidy sum on eBay. I'll bet it went for more than one of the dogs would have.

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Where do you keep your souvenirs?

Especially when they're rather large?



I wonder how long these prizes from the 1962 Seattle World's Fair lasted once the proud winners got them home.

Sunday, January 17, 2010

Les Floralies Internationales de Montreal - 1980 - Part 3

Here's the French entry for the competition.



Anyone happen to know who won?

Friday, January 15, 2010

Les Floralies Internationales de Montreal - 1980 - Part 2

Here's another view of the international floral show held on the old Expo 67 grounds back in 1980.



This one is of the Italian gardens.

Sunday, January 10, 2010

Les Floralies Internationales de Montreal - 1980 - Part 1

In 1980 the former Expo 67 grounds were used for an international floral show. Many nations and companies had exhibits showcasing their local plants and typical national garden features. With many of the pavilions already torn down, there was plenty of land available, but the show was so large that more of the now decrepit buildings were pulled down as well.



Here were see some children in paddle boats as they past by the Belgium garden displays.