Summary
Australia South Australia Adelaide
Medal - Adelaide Exhibition 1887 Semaphore Corporation Commemorative
Mint: Stokes & Martin
Other Details: This gilt commemorative (31 mm diameter) medal features a profile portrait head of Queen Victoria crowned and wearing a long veil facing left, and a front view of the Adelaide Exhibition Building with flags flying. As Adelaide's first international exhibition, the Jubilee International Exhibition opened to great fanfare at noon on Tuesday 21 July 1887. The Governor, Sir W.C.F. Robinson, arrived to a flourish of trumpets. A prosession of dignitaries entered the hall to the national anthem. Addresses were read, a choir sang, the Queen was cheered and the national anthem was sung again. The exhibition was now open to the general public, who were charged 1s to enter, with children under 14 half price. Season tickets were also available. The exhibition included 296,720 feet of floor space and 73,893 feet of wall space. 200 jurors assessed the entries, under the superintendence of Dr Rennie, Professor at the University of Adelaide. Awards were presented to prize winners at an evening ceremony on 30 November. Rolls of awards were presented to the representatives of each country, rather than to the large numbers of individual winners. On-going entertainments were offered to visitors during the course of the exhibition. 789,672 people visited the exhibition, more than twice Adelaide's population of 309,820. The exhibition closed on 6 January 1888, again to rousing renditions of the national anthem.
Physical Description
A gilt commemorative (31 mm diameter), it features a profile portrait head of Queen Victoria crowned and wearing a long veil facing left, and a front view of the Adelaide Exhibition Building with flags flying. The medal is holed but, from its condition never had a loop inserted.
Obverse Description
At centre a portrait profile head of Queen Victoria wearing coronet and veil, around, VICTORIA'S JUBILEE 1887 on truncation the artist's initials HS
Reverse Description
At centre within line circle, a front view of the Adelaide Exhibition Building with flags flying, above inside circle, ADELAIDE EXHIBITION below inside circle, 21st JUNE 1887, around on broad rim formed by circle, SEMAPHORE CORPORATION . J.C. LOVELY MAYOR
Edge Description
Plain
Significance
The Adelaide Jubilee International Exhibition included 296,720 feet of floor space and 73,893 feet of wall space. As Adelaide's first international exhibition, it opened to great fanfare at noon on Tuesday 21 July 1887. The Governor, Sir W.C.F. Robinson, arrived to a flourish of trumpets. A prosession of dignitaries entered the hall to the national anthem. Addresses were read, a choir sang, the Queen was cheered and the national anthem was sung again. The exhibition was now open to the general public, who were charged 1s to enter, with children under 14 half price. Season tickets were also available.
On-going entertainments were offered to visitors during the course of the exhibition. A dramatic pyrotechnic display was arranged by Messrs C.T. Brock, who had arranged fireworks for the Britain's massive exhibition venue, Crystal Palace, in London. Regular concerts were held, including the Adelaide Philparmonic Society, the Exhibition Choir and organ recitals. An inter-colonial band contest was held, occassional military displays and even performances by 'aboriginals from the two principal Mission Stations in South Australia'.
200 jurors assessed the entries, under the superintendence of Dr Rennie, Professor at the University of Adelaide. Awards were presented to prize winners at an evening ceremony on 30 November. Rolls of awards were presented to the representatives of each country, rather than to the large numbers of individual winners.
789,672 people visited the exhibition, more than twice Adelaide's population of 309,820. The exhibition closed on 6 January 1888, again to rousing renditions of the national anthem. -Report of the Royal Commission for the Adelaide Jubilee International Exhibition of 1887 to the Queen's Most Excellent Majesty. -D. Tout-Smith 5/12/2003.
More Information
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Collection Names
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Collecting Areas
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Acquisition Information
Transfer from National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), George McArthur, 15 Mar 1976
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Date Issued
1887 AD
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Issued By
Semaphore Corporation, Adelaide, Greater Adelaide, South Australia, Australia, 1881
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Mint
Stokes & Martin, Melbourne, Greater Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 1881
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Artist
Harry Stokes, Melbourne, Greater Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 1881
Initials HS on truncation of Queen's head -
Commissioned By
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Person Depicted
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Person Named
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Inscriptions
Obverse: VICTORIA'S JUBILEE 1887 around veiled and crowned head left. Reverse:ADELAIDE EXHIBITION 21st JUNE 1887 around centre within line circle, SEMAPHORE CORPORATION . J.C. LOVELY MAYOR around on broad rim formed by circle,
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Series
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Material
Gilt
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Axis
12
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Classification
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Category
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Discipline
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Type of item
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Dimensions
31 mm (Outside Diameter), 11.9 g (Weight)
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Shape
Round with hole
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References
Car. 1887/75 Several publications were issued in association with the Exhibition. The following are held by the State Library of Victoria: Adelaide Jubilee International Exhibition, 1887; South Australia in 1887: a handbook for the Adelaide Jubilee International Exhibition; Report of the Royal Commission for the Adelaide Jubilee International Exhibition of 1887 to the Queen's Most Excellent Majesty; Official catalogue of exhibits from the colony, forwarded to the Adelaide Jubilee International Exhibition, Adelaide, 1887; Adelaide Jubilee International Exhibition cantata; Ceremonial to be observed on the occasion of the opening of the Adelaide Jubilee International Exhibition, 21st June, 1887.
[Catalogue] Morrison, Ian. 2003. The Baker of Maldon.
[Book] Royal Commission for the Adelaide Jubilee International Exhibition of 1887. 1888. Report of the Royal Commission for the Adelaide Jubilee International Exhibition of 1887 to the Queen's Most Excellent Majesty.
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Keywords
Celebrations, Exhibitions, Queen Victoria Golden Jubilee, 1887, Royal Anniversaries