[World's Fair] [Exposition Universelle] [Ethnic Stereotypes] Calliope decorated for the 1889 World's Fair

[World's Fair] [Exposition Universelle] [Ethnic Stereotypes]

Calliope decorated for the 1889 World's Fair

Wooden calliope from the 1889 World's Fair in Paris, with affixed illustrated paper label crediting The B&B Manufacturing Company in Norwalk, CT, and depicting an assembled crowd, including Uncle Sam distributing B&B's calliopes to variously depicted and - to our contemporary sensibility, cringe-worthy - ethnic stereotypes. The Eiffel Tower had just been erected for this 1889 World's Fair, but evidently not in time for the now most recognizable of Parisian landmarks to be visible in the city skyline depicted here. 6.25 x 3.5 inches (15.9 x 8.9 cm). Small stains and nicks to the label, a few scratches to wood, overall in fine condition. (18481)

Ephemera History & Historiography