Summary

Australia Victoria Melbourne
International Exhibition Commemorative Medal 1888-9 (AD)
Other Details: An silver commemorative medal of the Centennial International Exhibition manufactured to sell to visitors as a memento (probably for adding to charm bracelet) featuring a view of the Exhibition Building as seen from the South East and shield adorned with flags of six nations including the United States of America, France and Russia. The 1888 Centennial International Exhibition, celebrating a century of Australian settlement, surpassed even the grand scale of the1880 Melbourne International Exhibition. It attracted over two million people, but the Victorian government had to spend £250 000 on it, ten times the amount estimated. The exhibition had a distinctively imerial focus, and a greater emphasis on culture than in 1880, particularly on music and painting. A choir of five thousand sang music old and new, and half a million people attended symphony concerts. There were over three thousand paintings on display, including works by artists like J.M.W. Turner and C. Lutyens. The Exhibition Building in Carlton Gardens was lit inside and out by electric lights, claimed to be the largest installation of arc lighting in the world.

Physical Description

An silver commemorative medal of the Centennial International Exhibition featuring a view of the Exhibition Building as seen from the South East and shield adorned with flags of six nations including the United States of America, France and Russia.

Obverse Description

At centre, a view of the Exhibition Building as seen from the South East; above, CENTE[N]NIAL in exergue, EXHIBITION / MELB. 88-89

Reverse Description

Australian shield adorned with flags of six nations including the United States of America, France and Russia.

Edge Description

Plain

Significance

Exhibitions in Melbourne became a regular occurrence from the middle of the nineteenth century, becoming grander and larger each time. The 1888 Centennial International Exhibition, celebrating a century of Australian settlement, surpassed even the grand scale of the1880 Melbourne International Exhibition. It had more British and imperial resonance. It attracted over two million people, but the Victorian government had to spend £250 000 on it, ten times the amount estimated. The sum seemed absurd after the economic boom came to an end in 1889. There was a greater emphasis on culture than in 1880, particularly on music and painting. A choir of five thousand sang music old and new, and half a million people attended symphony concerts. There were over three thousand paintings on display, including works by artists like J.M.W. Turner, C. Lutyens and Frederic Leighton. The building was lit inside and out by electric lights, claimed to be the largest installation of arc lighting in the world. -REB World Heritage Nomination, Environment Australia, 2002. -D. Tout-Smith 23/10/2003.

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