Here is my sealed 1933/34 Chicago World's Fair deck with silver gilt edges. The backs depict The Sky Ride. Manufactured by Arrco in Chicago.

While looking for Chicago themed playing cards about a month ago I discovered that there were a lot of different decks that were made 1933/34 Chicago World's Fair. In the process I also discovered a couple of different Delta Airlines promotional decks. I covered a sealed Delta deck (C. 1976) here.

For about a month I keept an eye on Chicago World's Fair decks. I got out bid on a couple and couldn't come to an agreement with the sellers of others. Last week I saw this sealed example pop up. After a quick search I saw that other sealed decks were listed for ~2-4x the price of this one's starting offer. Obviously that isn't an indicator of actual value (they might not ever sell at their list price) but I made a few offers and the seller and I came to an agreement. I managed to buy this sealed deck with a good condition box for approximately the starting bid of the average good condition opened/ used deck that I missed out on.

This deck will say sealed (unlike the Delta deck). It features standard faces so I don't feel the need to open it, either. I do want to get a good condition opened/used example of a Chicago World's Fair deck that features a black and white photo of a different attraction on the face of each card. Ironically I'll probably be spending more on that deck than I did on this nearly mint one but that's just because I got a really good deal. If I ever get one I'll be sure to share it here!

Cool. I have some World's Fair memorabilia that my father in law gave me, including a gold spoon. And my husband's grandmother used to talk about how one of her favorite memories was driving from Seattle to Chicago to the World's Fair in their pink Chevy sedan and how people would just marvel at their car and wave as they drove by. It seems mind boggling to me that they drove so far in that era. But she was old enough to remember when horseback was a main mode of transport, including by the Native Americans who routinely would ride across her family's farm.

I love the tax stamp

I have a paperweight from the Travel and Transit building, and a pin from Midget City. The former my great grandma picked up when she went, I have no idea where the Midget City pin came from.