Highlights Archives
Solve a Mystery: Nixon Flyswatter/Fan Stumps Museum
April 2004 marked the 10-year anniversary of President Nixon's death, but curators at the Wisconsin Historical Museum are still stumped about a piece of Nixon memorabilia in its collection. Dubbed the "Dick & Pat Fly-Swatter and Fan," the object consists of a printed band stapled around a folded sports section of the November 16, 1973, San Francisco Chronicle, but the photograph printed on the band appears to date from an earlier time. The museum is very interested in finding out more about this fan, especially why it was made. Obtaining information on this fan has proven difficult, as the museum's contacts with Nixon historians and memorabilia collectors have not yielded more information. The fan is attributed to "Ray Frito's Novelties, Beanville, Colorado," but the place and the name appear to be fictitious. Museum staff believes the "EOB" printed on the fan stands for "Executive Office Building."
If any readers have information about this enigmatic object, they are asked to contact Leslie Bellais at 608-264-6551 or via e-mail. The flyswatter/fan is slated to be part of an exhibition of handheld fans that will open at the Wisconsin Historical Museum on October 21. Titled "Cool Breezes," the exhibition will combine a traveling exhibit of 80 fans organized by Exhibits USA with more than 40 examples from the Wisconsin Historical Museum's collection. The exhibition explores the practical, social, commercial, and political uses of fans and the cultural stories they tell.
:: Posted May 13, 2004
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