Pin, Promotional
Object number2010.35.2 a,b
Date1953
MediumPlastic; paint; metal; paper
Credit LineGift of George Conroy
DescriptionIce capades souvenir pin with card backer.Dimensions1.5 x 0.25 x 1.875 in. (3.8 x 0.6 x 4.8 cm)Marks(b)
Printed in black on top, "Ice Capades of 1953 / presents / Brigadoon / [image of female in Irish/Scottish costume] / official souvenir 50 [cent symbol] / © ICE CAPADES MADE IN U.S.A."
Historical NotesSouvenir ice show pin. The Ice Capades, a popular traveling ice show for over 50 years, got its start in 1932, when John H. Harris of the Harris Theater family, leased the Duquesne Gardens in Oakland (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), an ice skating rink/theater where hockey matches and other sports events took place. To draw larger crowds to the hockey matches, Harris hired Olympic skater, Sonja Henie, to perform between periods. Henie was wildly popular among Pittsburghers and the success of her performances convinced Harris to create an all-figure-skating amusement show. His Ice Capades premiered at Duquesne Gardens in 1940. Harris sold the company in 1963 for $5.5 million. Ice Capades went out of business in 1995.
Related person
John H. Harris
Subjects
On View
Not on view
1950-1959
American Safety Table Company
1941
Riedell Shoes, Inc.
c. 2014
Sears, Roebuck and Company