World's fair/military history historical paper army fan

Home > Worthopedia – Price Guide > Advertising >

Terms and Conditions for using our site

World's fair/military history historical paper army fan

Sold For:

or Sign In to see what it's worth.

Sold Date: 12/16/2007
Channel: Online Auction
Source: eBay
Category: Advertising

Up for bid is an extraordinary and large vintage paper souvenir fan in exceptional condition, and representing some wonderful place in 19th century regalia but I simply don't know w

This beautiful paper fan appears to be at least 100 years old, possibly 150 years old. One reason I think so: It seems probable that any souvenir fan from post 1910 would have military soldiers depicted in a motorized vehicle, not in a carriage, but that is only a guess.

I have tried for four months to identify the location of the scene on this remarkable fan, even calling the NY Public Library information service and emailing them a picture. No luck. The image on the fan shows a very distinguished militrary officer's party, out carriaging around some beautiful park-like location, with a very imposing iconic building in the background, which appears to be a catherdral, mosque or possibly a world's fair pavillion. But w?

In any case, the fan measures 25.5" wide by 13" tall, and is in very nice condition. The image is clear, the colors still saturated, and the intricate printing looks for all the world like real lace when seen from only several inches away. I suspect this design was a template into which the maker was able to drop imagery from anyw worthy of such a nice memento, hence the possibility of a world's fair. The floral detail of the picture is also very satisfying, featuring a pink bouquet at the lower left of the fan. At a glance it seems the soldiers are Russian or German, but who knows? One clue is that the back of the fan is stamped "Karlebach Gallery," presumably a European shop somew, although t is also a Karlebach Gallery in Fairlawn NJ.

T is a printed signature below the image on the front of the fan, (see photo) but I can't read it. T is one area w the paper is torn, and a small fragment of paper from that area is still with the fan. (See photo.) The back of the fan has what I would call mild moisture staining, but that discoloration does not appear on the front of the fan, mostly because the paper of the fan is very heavy. (See photo.)The fan was mounted into a gold frame with a black velvet background, but the frame is in poor condition, so I will not send the frame unless the winner wants it.

If anyone can identify the building in the background, and tfore the location of the scene, please email me and I will add it to the listing.

I accept paypal, checks and money orders. Pick up in northern NJ welcome, or else shipping on this pretty sourvenir fan will be $ 17 to the 48 states. Look below for questions and answers from other bidders, if any. Good luck bidding.