1904 Worlds Fair Appraisal

1904 St. Louis World’s Fair Pyrographed Leather Souvenir Handbag

This is a small, turn-of-the-century rectangular handbag made of natural finished leather, likely calfskin or sheepskin, featuring hand-burnished (pyrography) artwork. The central illustration depicts the architectural landscape of the 1904 Louisiana Purchase Exposition, specifically showing the Palace of Electricity or a similar domed pavilion with formal gardens. To the left is the pyrographic inscription 'World’s Fair' and to the right 'St. Louis 1904'. The bag features a classic metal frame with a ball-clasp closure mechanism, showing a heavy dark patina on the hardware. A distinctive feature is the thick, hand-braided leather top handle attached via metal pin hinges. In terms of condition, the leather exhibits significant age-related wear including darkening (patina), surface staining, and minor cracking at the stress points near the frame. The artwork remains legible but shows fading in the lower quadrants. The construction reflects the popular 'burnt wood' and 'leather craft' movements of the Arts and Crafts period, where such souvenirs were often produced by regional artisans or sold as kits for enthusiasts to complete. Its historical significance as a piece of World’s Fair memorabilia adds to its collectible appeal despite the visible wear and tear.