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Edward J. Kobiela World's Fair Collection

 Collection
Identifier: MSS-704-BC

Scope and Content

This collection contains newspaper clippings and magazine articles, souvenir booklets, pamphlets, maps, press releases, organizational reports, promotional literature, photographs, films and memorabilia relating to world's fairs and international exhibitions. Included in the collection are materials pertaining to the 1933 Century of Progress Centennial International Exhibition, Chicago; the 1958 Exposition Universelle et Internationale, Brussels, Begium; the 1959 USSR Exhibition of Achievements in Science, Technology, and Culture in New York City; the Seattle Century 21 Exposition (1962); New York World's Fair (1964-1965); Expo 67 (Montreal, Quebec); Expo 70 (Osaka, Japan); Expo '74 (Spokane, Wash.); the World's Fair of 1982 (Knoxville, Tenn.); the Louisiana World Exposition, 1984; Expo 86 (Vancouver, B.C.); and Aspen Design Conferences, 1956-1959. The collection also includes a folder of materials pertaining to Robert Moses, who served as President of the New York World's Fair Corporation.

Dates

  • 1872-1986

Creator

Language of Materials

English.

Access Restrictions

The collection is open for research.

Copy Restrictions

Limited duplication of CSWR material is allowed for research purposes. User is responsible for compliance with all copyright, privacy and libel laws. Permission is required for publication or distribution.

Biographical Information

The Great Exhibition of London, 1851, was the first international exposition; its focus was on the many technological advances and products from around the world resulting from the Industrial Revolution. Since that time, international fairs and exhibitions have been hosted and attended by many nations as a way to introduce advances in science and technology to the public and to private industry. By 1912, the success of the world's fairs, and the tourist income that came with them caused such intense competition between nations for the honor of hosting one, that the Bureau of International Expositions (B.I.E.) was created. Having been interrupted by World War I, the Bureau, now centered in Paris, was ratified by thirty-one nations in 1920, and since that time, has organized and continues to organize the scheduling and promotion of the world's fairs. In addition to the fairs administered by the B.I.E., many different nations and private organizations have sponsored independent international exhibitions of a more narrow focus, such as 1959 USSR Exhibition of Achievements in Science, Technology, and Culture in New York City, a joint effort between the Soviet Union and the United States.

This collection was amassed by Edward J. Kobiela, author and traveler, who had planned to write a book about the role international exhibitions played in promoting technological and scientific development. The book was never finished.

Extent

3 boxes (1.75 cu. ft.) plus 1 oversize folder

Abstract

The World's Fair collection consists of news clippings, magazine articles, souvenir booklets, pamphlets, maps, promotional literature, and memorabilia from various world's fairs and other international exhibitions.

Separated Material

Most publications have been transferred to UNM University Libraries for cataloging. These publications will be found via a title search: Edward J. Kobiela World's Fair Collection.

Original films are stored in B3. DVD for patron use is housed in the collection.

Processing Information

Original films were spliced onto one reel and digitized onto DVCPRO in 2007.
Title
Finding Aid of the Edward J. Kobiela World's Fair Collection, 1872-1986
Status
Edited Full Draft
Author
Processed by Chris Vigil
Date
©2003
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid is in English

Revision Statements

  • June 28, 2004: PUBLIC "-//University of New Mexico::Center for Southwest Research//TEXT (US::NmU::MSS 704 BC::Edward J. Kobiela World's Fair Collection)//EN" "nmu1mss704bc.sgml" converted from EAD 1.0 to 2002 by v1to02.xsl (sy2003-10-15).

Repository Details

Part of the UNM Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections Repository

Contact:
University of New Mexico Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections
University Libraries, MSC05 3020
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque NM 87131
505-277-6451