Summary
Commemorative medal commissioned by German exhibitor Julius Silbermann & Co, hop merchants from Nuremberg. The medal, a rare survivor of exhibitor marketing, was most likely handed out to visitors to Silbermann's display of conserved Bavarian hops, exhibited in class 43, 'Agricultural Products not used for Food'. Establishing trading relationships was a major rationale of participation in International Exhibitions. As a hop merchant, Silbermann & Co would have been key to tap into the thriving economy of boom-time Melbourne. His business would certainly have been assisted by the presence of one of the standout displays at the1888 exhibition, the German beer garden, located on the southern entrance to the basement cellars.
Obverse Description
Image of a robed king holding an overflowing cup of beer up in his right hand, below which hang stems of wheat. Inscribed around upper top: CENTENNIAL INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION; MELBOURNE 1888/9
Reverse Description
Ribbon banner diagonally across upper left half of medal inscribed with the company name: JULIUS/ SILBERMANN & CO. The left hand side of the medal inscribed with further text: HOP/ MERCHANTS/ NUREMBERG/ GERMANY
More Information
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Collecting Areas
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Acquisition Information
Purchase
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Date Issued
1888
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Commissioned By
Julius Silbermann & Co, Hops Merchants, Nuremberg, Bavaria, Germany, 1888
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Place & Date of Event
Royal Exhibition Building (REB), Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 1 Aug 1888 - 31 Jan 1889
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Material
Bronze
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Classification
Public events, Melbourne centennial exhibition 1888, Souvenirs
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Category
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Discipline
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Type of item
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Overall Dimensions
25 mm (Outside Diameter)
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Keywords
Exhibitions: Melbourne International Centennial, 1888-1889, Royal Exhibition Building, Hops, Merchants, Marketing, Souvenirs