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1893 Chicago World's Fair Ferris Wheel Life Sized Model
Astonishingly detailed and dead-on solid iron scale model of the centerpiece of the the 1893 World's Colombian Exposition in Chicago -- the world's very first Ferris Wheel, unveiled at the fair by George Ferris himself. Ferris, a famous bridge-builder, modeled the Wheel on the Eiffel Tower, devising a huge 264-foot tall, 264-foot in diameter wheel mounted to a tower and supporting 36 wooden cars suspended by iron clamps to the wheel's exterior. The Wheel stopped on every other revolution to let a new group of people into the cars. Built by Detroit Bridge and Iron Works, the engine-powered Wheel cost $380,000 to build, but it was wildly popular that at 50-cents a ride it grossed twice as much. On June 16th, Ferris and his wife personally christened the Wheel, which was then ridden by tux and gown-wearing, champange-toasting VIPs, including Ferris, who rode on it for 5 revolutions. On the model, the wheel is 30" in diameter. The tower is 30" high and is mounted on a 24 x 27" base. The detail is truly amazing and the construction rock solid, with the spokes of the wheel and the guidwires of the tower taut and strong. The wheel is fully operational, turning as smoothly as did the real one, and the cars swivel left and right according to the pull of gravity as the wheel revolves. Under the wheel, steps rise up toward it, and there's even a revolving door entrance in the foreground. Overall patina has bathed the wheel and the accountrements with a coating of a lovely sepia brown, extenuating the effect. Missing 11 cars but not important in the overall scheme as this cannot be easily noticed. The piece rates a highly desirable EX+. The Ferris Wheel is a cultural phenomenon to this day, and this terrific collectible beautifully and faithfully recaptures its origin.
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