The 1939 and 1940 New York World's Fair in Pictures

World's Fairs Collection, 2-7, Hofstra University Library Special Collections

World's Fairs Collection, 1-22, Hofstra University Library Special Collections

World's Fairs Collection, 2-9, Hofstra University Library Special Collections

World's Fairs Collection, 2-10, Hofstra University Library Special Collections

Oversized, Hofstra University Library Special Collections

"Pictures say a thousand words," and pictures of the 1939 World's Fair are no exception. Photograph books were one of the most popular types of souvenirs for visitors to the Fair, as color photography was in its first stages of popularity.

 Above in the large picture is the Pictorial Souvenir of the New York State Exhibits at the fair, produced by the New York State World's Fair Commission. It has several interesting features, including a state regional map, an introduction from the then-governor Herbert Lehman, and various attractions throughout the state.

Top left is Manhattan Postcard Publishing Company's New York World's fair: Illustrated by Camera, published in 1940. It contains spectacular black and white images of the fairgrounds and exhibits.

Top right is See the New York World's Fair...in Pictures, which highlights the fair's exhibits by zone. It also includes some original construction photographs.

Bottom left is Seeing New York World's Fair in Colors, a small brochure that contains both black and white photographs and colored illustrations of the 1940 World's Fair.

Bottom right is the "Official Souvenir Book: New York World's Fair 1939," published by Exposition Publications in 1939.  This book contains black and white photographs and color photographs, as well as detailed maps of the fairgrounds.