Learn about your antiques and collectibles with Georgia Caraway

Despite the grim economics of the Great Depression, two of the most celebrated world’s fairs of the century took place during the 1930s. The two events, first in Chicago and later in New York City, happened at the very zenith of event souvenirs. Howard M. Rossen, author of World’s Fair Collectibles, 1933 and 1939 (Schiffer Books), noted, “The range of items then for sale is beyond comprehension From simple ashtrays, to ornate woven tapestries, to children’s toys, to spectacular posters, the visitor could take home a remembrance of an event that would take its place in history”

The 1933-34 Chicago World’s Fair, a Century of Progress, also offered tourists a world of other items, including programs and guidebooks, cameras, metal lamps, playing cards, wallets and compacts, plates, salt and pepper shakers, toys, radios, ashtrays, and jewelry

Often the souvenir items were created, or at least decorated, right at the great event itself Pottery and glassware were especially suitable for this purpose.

The Midway offered an exciting array of choices to explore. There were beauties of the Orient, wrestlers, fencers, sword fighters, jugglers, Egyptian dancers, Siamese twins and giants

The most famous attraction was the risqué fan dance of Sally Rand Sally Rand was an unemployed movie actress who tried to get a job at the Chicago World’s Fair as Lady Godiva. Although she rode a white horse on the midway minus a costume, she did not get the job as Godiva. Instead she was hired as a fan dancer with two ostrich feathers comprising her only costume. She was an extremely popular fair attraction 73,000 people watched her act in the first month Her salary increased from $175 per week to $3,000 per week based on her enormous popularity

The admission price to enter the fairgrounds was fifty cents for adults and twenty-five cents for children between ages three and twelve years In the two years of operation 48,769,227 had walked on the fairgrounds

I have lots of postcards and other items for the Chicago Fair and most of the other fairs and expositions at Howe Mercantile

Dr. Georgia Caraway, former director of the Denton County Museums for 14 years, and her friends opened the Howe Mercantile on April 25. In addition to Tips, Tools, & Techniques: Caring for Your Antiques and Collectibles, she has written four Denton history books and is working on a 5th history about the North Texas State Fair and Rodeo

Early voting taking place again this week for Howe ISD Board of Trustees

Early voting for Howe ISD Board of Trustees will go on through next week at the district administration office, located at 105 W. Tutt St. On Election Day, a second voting location will be open at the Dorchester Town Hall, located at 373 Main St

Howe ISD has five candidates vying for three seats Mark Abner (incumbent), Bruce Dawsey, (incumbent), Amber Krantz-Dimayuga, Janie Finney, and Micah Belden will compete for the three open positions One seat came open when former Howe ISD longtime teacher Pat Stewart did not seek another term.