Item NU 35858 Medal - Adelaide Jubilee International Exhibition, Prize, South Australia, Australia, 1887

Summary

Australia South Australia Adelaide
Medal - Adelaide Exhibition 1887 Prize
Other Details: A large bronze prize medal (75 mm diameter) featuring a profile portrait head of Queen Victoria crowned and wearing a long veil facing left and a wreath of Australian native flowers, fruits and vegetables. Prize medals were only issued at the delaide Jubilee International Exhibition for First Prize; they were not named. However, this medal is in its original presentation case which is named inside the top TECHNOLOGICAL MUSEUM. 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 procession 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 large bronze prize medal (75 mm diameter), it features a profile portrait head of Queen Victoria crowned and wearing a long veil facing left and a wreath of Australian native flowers, fruits and vegitables. Stored in case with ADELAIDE INTERNATIONAL / JUBILEE / EXHIBITION 1887 on top and TECHNOLOGICAL MUSEUM printed inside the top.

Obverse Description

At centre, profile portrait head of Queen Victoria crowned and wearing a long veil facing left; around, ADELAIDE JUBILEE INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION . MDCCCLXXXVII E.A. ALTMANN . MELBOURNE in tiny letters under bust

Reverse Description

Within wreath of Australian native flowers, fruits and vegitables; FIRST ORDER / OF / MERIT

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.