Souvenir Inkstand from the 1901 Pan-American Exposition.

1. Description of the Inkstand

This desk accessory was sold as a high-quality souvenir to visitors of the World’s Fair in Buffalo, New York.

• The Theme: The design is centered entirely around the American Bison (Buffalo), which served as the official emblem of the Exposition and the host city.
• The Base: The stand features a rectangular base modeled with a rough, textured surface to simulate the terrain of the American plains. The front edge is boldly embossed with the text “PAN-AMERICAN EXPOSITION”.
• The Figure: Standing on the left side of the base is a detailed sculpture of a standing bison. The figure is cast in metal with a gold-toned finish.
• The Inkwell: The ink reservoir is a cube of clear, pressed glass with a “hobnail” or diamond-patterned base.
  • The Lid: The metal lid is a standout feature, decorated with a high-relief medallion of a bison’s head facing forward.
• Material: The metal components appear to be spelter (a zinc alloy) or white metal with a bright brass or gold wash finish. The underside shows the hollow casting typical of souvenir wares from this period.

2. Historical Context: The 1901 Pan-American Exposition

The Pan-American Exposition was a World’s Fair held in Buffalo, New York, from May 1 to November 2, 1901.

• The “City of Light”: The Expo was famous for its massive use of electricity. It was the first World’s Fair to be powered by long-distance transmission of alternating current (AC) hydroelectric power, generated 25 miles away at Niagara Falls. At night, the fairgrounds were illuminated by hundreds of thousands of light bulbs, earning it the nickname “The City of Light.”
• The Goal: The stated purpose of the fair was to promote trade and social interests between the countries of North, South, and Central America.
• The Tragedy: The Exposition is most historically significant as the site of a presidential assassination. On September 6, 1901, President William McKinley was greeting the public at the fair’s Temple of Music when he was shot twice by anarchist Leon Czolgosz. McKinley died eight days later, and Theodore Roosevelt was inaugurated as President in Buffalo.
• The Bison Symbol: The bison motif on this inkstand was ubiquitous at the fair. It appeared on the official logo (designed by Raphael Beck), on postage stamps issued for the event, and on almost all official souvenirs, symbolizing both the host city of Buffalo and the spirit of the North American frontier.