I found a great buy at a President's day sale about 2 weeks ago, another small tankard. I don't have a picture of it, but it looks almost identical to this pitcher except that it is souvenired "1492 World's Fair 1893." My husband and I looked puzzled at the inscription wondering what the "1492" had to do with the World's Fair. We both remembered our grade school history phrase "In 1492 Columbus sailed the ocean blue." We wonder what the connection was. I asked around to a few collectors and no one had a clue, some didn't get the Columbus connection. Then I saw 2 more items on ebay with the same inscription.
I knew I had to do some research. Remarkably, it was easy; I found it on the internet. The World's Fair of 1893 was held in Chicago and was put on to celebrate the 400th anniverary of Columbus sailing to the new world. There are several interesting sites to visit to read about this Fair. I really enjoyed the "Interactive Guide to the World's Columbian Exposition."
Some things I found interesting about this fair are...George Ferris built the first Ferris Wheel, the United States produced it's first commemorative stamp set, the US Postal Service produced it's first picture postcards, Cracker Jacks were introduced, Aunt Jemima Syrup was introduced, US Mint offers first commemorative coins: a quarter, half dollar, and dollar, Cream of Wheat was introduced, Shredded Wheat was introduced, Pabst Beer was introduced, Juicy Fruit gum was introduced, diet carbonated soda was introduced, the hamburger was introduced to the United States, and the carnival concept was born.