Ruby Flash glass

One of the fascinating rewards of going to auctions...is coming home with unexpected treasures .  You know, you had to bid on a whole box of knicknacks to get some ONE thing you wanted....so, imagine my surprise to discover this un-noticed little gem hiding in the box.

It was obviously a souvenir piece of some kind....so I did a bit of research.  To my surprise, Ruby Flash Glass souvenirs are highly collectible and there are lots of examples of them .  They were a popular souvenir item from the late 1800s through 1910... but some examples can be found that are dated as recently as 1950.

I don't know who Maymie Hilliard was (if you do, PLEASE feel free to contact me) ... but after a bit of research, found out what was going on in Buffalo NY 1901. My little piece of Ruby Flash Glass was from the Pan American Exposition!  The Exposition was open from May through November of 1901 and attracted people from all over the world. For most, it was the trip of a lifetime.  It was a very exciting time!

"The Pan" was famous for introducing Nikola Tesla's new invention of alternating current power transmission for distant transfer of electricity long before electric lights were commonplace. The fair was lavishly lit by power generated from Niagra Falls, 25 miles away.

The x-ray was also introduced for the first time at this fair, although it was widely distrusted  and thought to be dangerous.

And most of all, President William McKinley was assassinated in the Temple of Music on September 6th, 1901 .  Ironically, he was not x-rayed to find the bullet and his surgery was lit by sunlight reflectors since hospitals had no electricity yet. He died from his gunshot wounds 8 days later.

Holding this little souvenir in your hand is like connecting to a pivotal time in American history.   Visit the Pan American Exposition on this great website http://panam1901.org/

Now wasn't that fun?