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

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