Summary

Australia Victoria Melbourne
Special Merit Medal - Melbourne 1866 Intercolonial Exhibition of Australasia
Artist: Charles Summers
Manufacturer: W. Calvert
Awarded to: Ferdinand von Mueller
Other Details: This is one of 50 special merit medallions were awarded for services at the Intercolonial Exhibition. An additional 648 prize medals merit like NU 35089 mounted in frame beside this piece were also issued. This medal was mounted in the large rectangular frame beside Dr. Mueller's special merit medal for display on the wall of the Board Room of the old Museum, Library and National Gallery. In the exergue is the name of the exhibition curved around at the bottom, INTERCOLONIAL EXHIBITION VICTORIA 1866-7 and the name of the winner of this medal Dr. Mueller.

Physical Description

At right, the personification of Victoria, standing facing left and holding palm in left hand while receiving her "six sisters" who each bring a contribution; Behind Victoria is a Lion's head perhaps representing one of the lions that flanked the Museum (where the Exhibition was held). Behind the 'six sisters' an ancient ship's prow. Around above, the Latin FACIES NON OMNIBUS UNA NEC DIVERSA TAMEN QUALEM DECET ESSE SORORUM [translates as: "They all look different and yet alike : as sisters would"]. The exergue legend reads in four lines PRESENTED TO Ferdinand Mueller F.R.S. COMMISSIONER INTERCOLONIAL EXHIBITION VICTORIA 1866-7.

Obverse Description

On the right, the personification of Victoria, standing facing left and holding palm in left hand while receiving her "six sisters" who each bring a contribution; Behind Victoria is a Lion's head perhaps representing one of the lions that flanked the Museum (where the Exhibition was held). Behind the 'six sisters' an ancient ship's prow. Around above, the Latin, FACIES NON OMNIBUS UNA NEC DIVERSA TAMEN QUALEM DECET ESSE SORORUM [translates as: "They all look different and yet alike : as sisters would"]. In exergue PRESENTED TO / Ferdinand Mueller F.R.S. / COMMISSIONER / INTERCOLONIAL EXHIBITION VICTORIA 1866-7; in tiny letters on left, C. SUMMERS, SCULP; in tiny letters on right, W. CALVERT, FECIT

Significance

The Intercolonial Exhibition of Australasia was held on the site of the Public Library, in new wings that eventually became the site of the Industrial and Technology Museum in 1870, a forerunner to the Science Museum of Victoria and Museum Victoria. The medal was designed by Charles Summers and manufactured by William Calvert, a Melbourne-based lectrotypist and ornamental printer. -D. Tout-Smith 6/1/2004.
Two certificates awarded to Mueller from this exhibition are at the Melbourne Botanic Garden. - Prof. R. W. Home , Dec 2005.

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