1904 World's Fair Collection

Donated by Pat Meisel McBride and collected by Joseph Andrew Meisel, Jr., our 1904 World's Fair Collection is among the largest in the country. Please follow this link to learn more about Mr. Meisel and his interest in the World's Fair.

The collection contains just under 1,200 individual pieces, with a number of them being quite unusual and rare. One such item is the Festival hall clock, made by St. Louis jewelers Mermod-Jaccard. There are a number of commemorative plates, spoons, and glasses contained within the collection, along with the very special crystal hatchets, which were given to individuals of import. Various items, such as dishes and trays, made of bisque or china are also contained within the collection, as are a great deal of ruby glass and plate ware.

No collection of the 1904 World's Fair would be complete without the ornate fans of the times. Decorative boxes, also coveted by Victorian women, are in evidence in the collection. Fair fabrics such as scarves with the Palace of Electricity or colored with the blue, white, and red of the French flag are also included.

Other outstanding items among the collection are purses, tankards, and steins, all with the 1904 logo. Paperweights and pocket watches, cards, match holders, and mirrors are also included, as are pins, ribbons, fobs, candlesticks, and medals. Typewriters, stereopticons, pitchers, salt & pepper shakers, jars, bells, and sewing boxes all help to make the collection multi-faceted. Memorabilia like books, brochures, sheet music, guidebooks, maps, and postcards all help make this an extremely rich collection. This is truly a unique collection, as it is the only one of its kind in the United States. It is certainly worth an afternoon visit to the Chatillon-DeMenil mansion.

For more information, please call (314) 771-5828.