This vintage WM. A. ROGERS silver-plated souvenir spoon from the iconic 1933 Chicago World's Fair (A Century of Progress) is a must-have for collectors of historical memorabilia, World's Fair artifacts, or antique silver.
Beautifully detailed with landmark architecture and classic Art Deco imagery, it brings the optimism and innovation of the 1930s straight to your collection.
This 1933 World's Fair Chicago features on the front a raised profile of the "I WILL" woman wearing a crown adorned with a winged helmet and the words "I WILL".
Above her head is the year 1933. Below the bust, the phrase "A CENTURY OF PROGRESS" is embossed above a stylized globe with trailing lines representing motion or technological rays.
The front handle stem reads "CHICAGO" in raised block lettering vertically along the stem.
The front spoon bowl features an etched/engraved architectural illustration depicting the Hall of Science complex, labeled at the bottom with "SCIENCE COURT".
The back handle top features a high-relief architectural depiction of the TRAVEL AND TRANSPORTATION BUILDING, featuring its distinct suspension-cable dome structures.
The back handle stem is hallmarked "WM. A. ROGERS" stamped near the top neck.
Back Spoon Bowl: Smooth silver-plated finish showing minor wear and a small focal spot of heel wear near the center-back curve.
The 1933 Chicago World's Fair: Officially named A Century of Progress International Exposition, the fair commemorated Chicago’s centennial (1833–1933) while celebrating technological innovation during the Great Depression.
The exposition’s iconic motto was "Science Finds, Industry Applies, Man Conforms."
It highlighted a futuristic optimism where scientific discovery served as the driver of human progress.
"I WILL" Symbol: The classic profile on the handle represents the female figure symbol of Chicago, based on the city's official motto, "I Will," created following the Great Chicago Fire to symbolize resilience and forward-looking determination.
Buildings Pictured: Science Court / Hall of Science (Front Bowl): Designed by Paul Philippe Cret, this massive U-shaped structure housed mind-expanding exhibits on physics, chemistry, and medicine.
Travel and Transportation Building (Back Handle): Designed by Edward Bennett, Hubert Burnham, and John Holabird, this landmark was famous for being the first building in history constructed with a roof suspended by steel cables attached to skyward towers rather than internal columns, creating an enormous column-free interior space.
Length: 5.875 inches Bowl Width: 1.25 inches Weight: 0.9 oz Maker: Wm. A. Rogers (Oneida Ltd.) Material: Silver-plate
