Buster Crabbe Presents Aqua Parade of 1949 Souvenir Program
Print Ephemera; Souvenir Program/Booklet on cardstock and paper • Produced for Buster Crabbe's Aqua Parade; illustrator unidentified (Commercial Artist)
Style & Movement
Mid-Century American Pin-up/Illustration style
Medium & Technique
Offset lithography in color with decorative typography and commercial illustration
Creation Period
1949
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 9 x 12 inches; Portrait format, multi-page booklet
Subject Description
A seated pin-up style woman in a blue bikini on a diving board, set against a nautical/oceanic background featuring a giant scallop shell, tropical fish, and seaweed. Title text in red script: 'Buster Crabbe presents Aqua Parade of 1949'.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good/Fair; visible edge wear, slight corner blunting, and faint surface soiling consistent with age and paper quality
Estimated Market Value
$40 - $75 USD
Auction Estimate
$30 - $60 USD
Provenance History
Likely purchased as a souvenir at a live aquatic performance in the United States, 1949. Standard retail circulation for 25 cents as indicated by the price mark.
Art Historical Significance
A representative example of post-WWII American entertainment marketing; reflects the popularity of aquatic entertainment 'extravaganzas' and the celebrity of Olympic swimmer/actor Buster Crabbe.
Notable Features
Features the 25-cent original price mark and distinctive red calligraphy typical of late 1940s graphic design; notable for its cross-over appeal between pin-up collectors, sports history, and film memorabilia.
Condition Issues
Minor creases, edge fraying, possible oxidation of staples (if applicable), and general yellowing of the paper pulp due to acidic content.
Conservation Recommendations
Keep in a temperature-controlled environment; store in an acid-free, archival-quality Mylar sleeve with a backing board to prevent further acidity migration and mechanical damage.