TOPIC: Boat Shows of the '50s

Here is a page-in-progress:

www.fiberglassics.com/library/Boat_Shows

A listing of the major boat shows of the 1950s. Interesting to see when and where shows were happening. Having these dates at hand is also a tremendous aid when combing through newspaper archives- you know just which few issues to comb through!

In a similar vein, I have a number of boat show programs from the 1940s to late 1960s for the Chicago Boat Show and New York Boat Show. Lists all the exhibitors: boat manufacturers, outboard motor builders; trailer manufacturers; etc... Many have floor plans showing the booths. You can compare booth size of various firms and find out if your favorite boat builder had a display.

Might this be of interest for the library?

Andreas

Hi Andreas,

Definitely some value, at least for the '50s and early '60s. For instance, I have a particular interest in Speed Queen Boats and wondered if they ever displayed at the Chicago Boat Show.

I have online access to the New York Times and Chicago Tribune newspaper databases and have perused the boat show coverage by each publication. Would be great to see more photos of the show displays which by all accounts were fabulous:

archive.mam.org/brooks-stevens/search.php

Now Added- 1958 listing of Boat shows. Many more than 1956!

www.fiberglassics.com/library/Boat_Shows