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[Zamloch, Betty, compiler?]

[Panama-Pacific International Exposition photo album.]

[San Francisco, 1915.]. Oblong 4to (11” x 13”) photo album. 67 photographs (approx. 3” x 5.5” to 9.5” x 7.5”): 12 color and 55 black and white, each photo captioned in white ink, many images numbered in the bottom-right corner, tissue guards.

An extensive photo album documenting the historic Panama-Pacific International Exposition in San Francisco.

The Panama-Pacific Exposition, a world’s fair held in San Francisco for nine months (Feb.–Dec. 1915), celebrated the opening of the newly-completed Panama Canal, and was also widely perceived in the city as an opportunity to demonstrate its impressive recovery from the 1906 earthquake. This album does much to capture the sheer scope of this vast Exhibition. Pictured are many of the Exposition’s main attractions such as the Palace of Fine Arts; the Fountain of Energy; Festival Hall; the Tower of Jewels; Avenue of Palms; the Horticulture Building; Court of Flowers, the Educational Building; Court of the Four Seasons; the Court of Ages, etc. Also pictured are sculptures and columns; numerous fountains; the state buildings of New York, Oregon, Ohio, etc.; night shots of the Tower of Jewels; the national buildings of the Netherlands, Spain, Denmark, China, Sweden, Canada, etc.; as well as the California building.

Constructed on a 636 acre site along two and a half miles of waterfront property, the vast Exposition was situated between the Presidio and Fort Mason—a locale known today as the Marina District. Visitors strolled down wide boulevards; attended scientific and educational presentations; ventured to international pavilions; and enjoyed thrilling displays of sports, racing, music, and art. The fair also promoted technological and motor advancements—this being the first world’s fair to demonstrate a transcontinental telephone call. A benchmark in San Francisco history, the Exposition reflected the ascendance of the U.S. to the world stage and highlighted San Francisco’s grandeur. It drew nearly nineteen million visitors. The exhibition was intended to be temporary—the buildings being made of wood, plaster, and burlap to make them easy to demolish. The only portion to survive is the Palace of Fine Arts, which was rebuilt in the ‘60s with more permanent materials.

At the back of the album are a handful of photos of a baby named Betty and a guardian. A small card is tipped-in, indicating the album was apparently given as a Christmas gift to one Aunt Ida from one Betty Zamloch.

An excellent photo-document of the Panama-Pacific Exposition.

REFERENCES: National Museum of American History. 1915 San Francisco Panama-Pacific International Exposition: In color! at americanhistory.si.edu; The Panama-Pacific International Exhibition at nps.gov

CONDITION: Worn, cloth missing from front cover and front edge of spine, but binding firm; contents very good, minor losses or wear to a few photos; some loss and wrinkling to the tissue guards.

Item #5711

Price: $1,500.00