Terrific Century 21 Exposition Brass and Enamel Plaque

This is a very attractive Century 21 souvenir and due to its cost even in 1962, not many were sold. I have also seen one with a bolt soldered onto the reverse for use as an auto license plate topper.

The workmanship is outstanding, far beyond what you would expect in a souvenir. The enamel work is incredibly precise, the colors subtle but outstanding and the overall design as nice as any souvenir you will find from the fair.

Most souvenirs, obviously produced before the fair opened in order to be available for sale from Day 1, had one minor area that was troublesome. Images of the Space Needle, Coliseum and U.S. Pavilion/Science Center were pretty easy; the monorail generally was pictured as a bit more streamlined than it actually is. Alweg manufactured it and also the Disneyland monorails which feature a space age look. I don't think anyone noticed or cared that souvenirs pictured the Seattle monorail closer to the look of the Disney version.

But the problem for most souvenirs was how to portray the Gayway. Consequently it was always shown with sort of a carnival look, which the amusement section was in many ways. On this piece you can see a structure (rather random and nothing specific) and balloons. The balloons seem to be the design element used often to say "amusements" when adding the Gayway to the other features of the expo. Again, I rather doubt anyone noticed or cared, nor cares today.

The plaque measures about 4 inches top to bottom.

This one, as you can see on the reverse, was glued strongly onto some surface by the original owner; it looks as if it was difficult to remove the adhesive or to get it off whatever it was on. From the look of the dark spots I'm guessing that it was affixed pretty darned securely; the residue reminds me of panel adhesive used on tile and other household items intended to be permanent.

Fortunately, it doesn't detract at all. I can't think of any reason one would ever have the reverse side being displayed. Like the outstanding set of enamel pins (backed with brass) from the fair this was also made in Germany. A few other enamel C21 souvenirs were made in Germany as well and they all exhibit this outstanding workmanship.

I have seen this piece offered on ebay for $500--which is pretty meaningless. There are always sellers ignorant of the product or marketplace who list things at crazy prices. I wonder whatever happened to the $500 version as it was never sold on ebay.