Opening of Cape Cod Bridges Program, Pennant 1935. This lot consists of the official program for the opening of the new Cape Cod Canal bridges in 1935 and a commemorative pennant. The program includes information and photographs of the bridges - the Bourne and Sagamore bridges - as well as many advertisements for local businesses in the region. It comes in the original envelope for the Souvenir Program, and affixed to the envelope is a stamp commemorating the opening of the bridges; the stamp says “Grand Opening of Bridges at Bourne, Mass. June 22nd, 1935”, so they were dedicated and opened to traffic on the same day. The original Bourne and Sagamore bridges were completed in 1911 and 1913, respectively, and consisted of two eighty-foot cantilever spans. Essentially they were drawbridges, operated electronically, but they proved to be a hassle for mariners. In 1928 the United States Army Corps of Engineers took over the operation of the Cape Cod Canal, which would be improved, widened and deepened, and the new Bourne and Sagamore bridges became fixed structures rather than drawbridges. They also had an elevation of 135 feet above the water level, which was a stark increase over the forty-one feet of clearance under the original bridges when they were closed. The lot also includes a felt pennant showing the new Sagamore Bridge and “Cape Cod” on the pennant, and we believe the pennant was issued between 1935 and the 1950’s. We’re not sure, but that is our best guesstimate. The program measures 9 x 6 in. wide and in near pristine condition and the pennant is 11 1/8 in. long and in very good condition, and there’s wear on the Souvenir Program envelope and that’s it. We don’t know how many of the pennants and programs have survived, but they are definitely for bridge lovers and Cape Cod devotees. #249 #4985