Pin, Promotional
Object number2010.35.1
Date1950-1959
MediumPlastic; paint; metal
Credit LineGift of George Conroy
DescriptionPlastic pin in shape of a pair of ice skates. Painted white, with text written in blue with event name. Curved straight pin on back.Dimensions1.5 x 0.375 x 1.75 in. (3.8 x 1 x 4.4 cm)InscriptionsText in blue, "ICE SHOW".
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
1970-1979
Sears, Roebuck and Company
1953
Riedell Shoes, Inc.
Alfred Johnson Skate Company
