2ND INSTALLMENT - 1894 California Midwinter Fair Ephemera Display | Page 2 | Mechanics' Institute

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2ND INSTALLMENT - 1894 California Midwinter Fair Ephemera Display

The second installment of Ed Herny’s ephemera collection from the California Midwinter International Exposition of 1894 (also known as the California Midwinter Fair) is currently featured in the 2nd floor archival display case.  This phase showcases trade cards, ribbons, tickets and passes, and embroidered silk handkerchiefs.  This part of the display will be on exhibit until June 26th.

Ed Herny, the current president of the SF Bay Area Post Card Club and a member of the Board of Directors of the Berkeley Historical Society, has been collecting ephemera from the California Midwinter Fair since 1972.  His collection is comprised of a wide-ranging array of objects, souvenirs, photos, and paper-based items.

Be sure to also check out the numerous 3D objects (glassware, jewelry caskets, games, etc.) in the side cabinets of the display case which are spectacular and will be on view until September 11th.

The current and future rotating displays in the flat, horizontal display cases will include:

  • May 13th - June 26th   - Tickets & passes, trade cards, ribbons, & silk hankies
  • June 26th  - August 1st  - Postcards, postal history covers & letter sheets
  • August 1st  - September 11th  -  Souvenir spoons, award medals, badges & jewelry

Members of the public are welcome to come to the Mechanics’ Institute to view this display – please inform the lobby attendant of your wish to see the exhibit and go to the 2nd floor Library and knock on the door for entrance.

Posted on May. 14, 2019 by Diane Lai