Weimer Pursell

Chicago World’s Fair - Hall of Science
Recent Acquisition

Maker

Weimer Pursell (1906–1974, b. in Tennessee), designer
Neely Printing Company, publisher

Title

Chicago World’s Fair - Hall of Science

Year

1933

Medium

Materials/Techniques

Techniques

Dimensions

99.1 x 66 cm (39 x 26 inches)

Signature / Inscription / Marks

In image at TR: Chicago World’s Fair, May 27th-November 1st, 1933. BL: Weimer Pursell. BC: 1833 A Century of Progress 1933. BR: Neely Printing Co.

Credit / Object Number

Credit

In Memory of Vincent M. Love, Brown University, Class of 1954

Object Number

2022.73.3

Type

Exhibition History

This Is a Thing
Recent Gifts to Prints, Drawings, and Photographs, 2020–2025
Aug 23, 2025 – Feb 15, 2026

Label copy

Interpretation

This poster uses simplified blocks of color to depict the Hall of Science at the Chicago World’s Fair. The building housed exhibits that commemorated 100 years of American innovation in mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, geology, and medicine. A celebration of Chicago’s centennial, the 1933 world’s fair emphasized progress, showcasing technological advancements against the stark backdrop of a nation struggling with unemployment, food insecurity, and other societal issues that marked the Great Depression.

Acquisition note

This and seven other world’s fair posters were recently given to the RISD Museum as a bequest from the estate of New York collector Vincent M. Love (1931–2020). Love, who completed his undergraduate studies at Brown University in American civilization, had two main focuses in his collection: shipping disasters, especially the Titanic, and world’s fair posters. The RISD Museum has around 1,000 posters in its collection, with subject matter areas including government messaging and wartime propaganda, protest and activism, and world’s fairs.

[CM]

Image use

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In copyright This object is in copyright

Tombstone

Weimer Pursell (1906–1974, b. in Tennessee), designer
Neely Printing Company, publisher
Chicago World’s Fair - Hall of Science, 1933
Color lithograph on paper
99.1 x 66 cm (39 x 26 inches)
In Memory of Vincent M. Love, Brown University, Class of 1954 2022.73.3

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