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 Replies: 12 / Views: 1,342 |
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CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives
 United States
12252 Posts |
Note: I started writing this post a few years ago, but didn't complete it as I thought it had been lost when I had a computer hard drive crash. Turns out, the initial draft was included in one of my backups but overlooked until I was going through things recently. So, I decided to update it and present it.The 1936 Cleveland, OH Centennial - Great Lakes Exposition opened in June of 1936 on 135 acres of reclaimed land on the shores of Lake Erie in Cleveland, OH. The Exposition ran from June 27th to October 4th in 1936 and from May 29th to September 6th in 1937. In 1936, over four million people attended; an additional three million visitors attended the Exposition in 1937. One of the attractions at the Exposition was located just inside the Exposition's main entrance - the official registration book (i.e., the Golden Book) was in place for fair visitors to sign and create a record of their Exposition attendance for posterity. The book, once billed as the largest book in the world, was 7 feet tall by 5 feet wide and 3 feet thick with 6,000 pages. It had enough space for six million visitors to sign. It is believed that over one million signatures were added to the book during the 1936 season, but the Golden Book was not in place for the 1937 season of the Exposition, nor was its sponsor - Golden Book Inc. - an Exposition participant. The book was reported to be destined (after the Exposition closed) for a local historical society/museum via donation, but no record of such a donation being completed can be found. In essence, the Golden Book has gone missing since 1936 and, today, is presumed lost. A miniature version of the Golden Book was sold at the Exposition, and allowed for the page, column and line number of a person's signature to be recorded and kept as a memento. Presented here is an example of the small booklet with the signature of "Leona Mosher" (at least per my best guess at the signature). While it's not directly tied the Exposition's commemorative half dollar, I find it to be an interesting historical piece from the Exposition and a nice ephemera supplement to my numismatic items from it. And recall, the coins could be purchased on the Exposition grounds by attendees! 1936 Cleveland, OH Centennial / Great Lakes Exposition Half Dollar  Miniature Golden Book - Envelope Miniature Golden Book - Front Cover Miniature Golden Book - First Page Miniature Golden Book - Centerfold/Background and Signature Pages The page number (425) of Ms. Mosher's signature appears to indicate she signed the large Golden Book mid-Summer in the 1936 season, and was in the 425,000 to 426,000 group of signatures. Miniature Golden Book - Last Page Miniature Golden Book - Back Cover with Official Seal For other of my posts about commemorative coins and medals, including more on the history of the Cleveland / Great Lakes Exposition half dollar, see: Commems Collection. Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
Wait - isn't that Chief Wahoo?
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Moderator
United States
187582 Posts |
Very interesting!  |
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Bedrock of the Community
 United States
12811 Posts |
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the Golden Book has gone missing since 1936 and, today, is presumed lost. Bummer. Quote:
Wait - isn't that Chief Wahoo? Obviously Wahoo is a fictional character, but that does raise the question - does the cover of the Golden Book depict a particular Native American? |
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Moderator
United States
34393 Posts |
"If you climb a good tree, you get a push."
-----Ghanaian proverb
"The danger we all now face is distinguishing between what is authentic and what is performed."
-----King Adz
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5820 Posts |
Something else caught my attention, it is the paper used to print the golden book, the book is over 186 years old, and the L. L. Brown' Linen Ledger paper as stated will not yellow and retain its strength with ages. I though this was fascinating as modern paper stock will easily turn yellow in a matter of short time and with climate condition, most books today will not likely hold its shape.
I found it interesting as I deal with different paper in the printing industry, so some receipt may not have pass down?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2125 Posts |
Nice coin with a great history. Thanks for posting!
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CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives
 United States
12252 Posts |
Quote:
Obviously Wahoo is a fictional character, but that does raise the question - does the cover of the Golden Book depict a particular Native American? From what I've read, the book depicts a representative Native American vs. a specific individual. The Native American is meant to symbolize the roots of Cleveland. For completeness...The building on the booklet is Terminal Tower. It was the tallest building in Cleveland at the time of the Exposition - 709' before an antennae. It was also the tallest building in Ohio and the second tallest building in the US. The Woolworth Building in NYC was the tallest - 792'. (Both buildings are still in use.) Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved.
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CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives
United States
12252 Posts |
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Have you done any digging on Leona Mosher? Yes, but nothing deep. Nothing to report at this point. Thanks for the links, I'll check them out. Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
12811 Posts |
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The building on the booklet is Terminal Tower. It's a really interesting building and definitely a Cleveland landmark. I've been in it a few times. |
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Rest in Peace
United States
4078 Posts |
Luv it. One of my first coin purchases was the Cleveland Centennial. Having
Sailed on the Great Lakes for a few years, in the late 90's for the Seafarers
Union. I was lucky to dock at all nine ports represented on the reverse of the
coin. It was quite an experience to say the least.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
12811 Posts |
@bpoc1, would love to hear some stories. |
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Rest in Peace
United States
4078 Posts |
Before 9/11 a number of these freighters, tugs were party boats. It was bar time when we were in port. Drinking on board was a nono but it happened. The meals were unbelievable. Two if not three choices of entrees with all types of desserts.
Not all was rosy. The one season I I spent 120 straight days on board but the pay was worth it.
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Replies: 12 / Views: 1,342 |
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Posted 04/18/2022 4:34 pm
