Summary

Australia Victoria Melbourne
Medal - Victorian Juvenile Industrial Exhibition Prize1888 (AD)
Mint: Stokes & Martin
Awarded to Frank Edwards

A silver prize medal of the Victorian Juvenile Industrial Exhibition won by Frank (Francis) Edwards of Princes Bridge in section XVII - Ships, Boats, award 1027. He entered a Rob Roy canoe built of ceder and spruce, described as 'light draft and safe' (Catalogue of Exhibits, p.76). Edwards was probably the son of J. Edwards and Sons, boat-builders at Princes Bridge who won several other medals at exhibitions around this time. The Exhibition aimed to 'show the advancement of Education in Victoria, and to stimulate a spirit of evaluation amongst the Youth of the colony. The Executive Commissioners intend to devote the surplus funds resulting from the Exhibition for the encouragement of Technical Education in Victoria' (Catalogue of Exhibits, p.5). The Patron of the Exhibition was Sir Henry Brougham Lock, Governor of Victoria. The Exhibition opened in Melbourne on 28 March 1888, and remained open for four months. 'Young people' aged 21 or under were invited to contribute models, working or otherwise, in any material, not to exceed one cubic yard of content. A special category allowed people over the age of 21 to also enter. Exhibitors were permitted to sell their exhibitions, and were not charged for the space unless they were over the age of 21. A broad range of exhibits included processed foods, stuffed animals, photographs, men's and boys' clothing, needlework, tinware, ironwork, architectural models, furniture, buggies and other vehicles, agricultural implements, drawings and carvings. Competitions were also held, in writing, reading, spelling, arithetic, elocution, music, singing, cooking, etc. Age ranges were specified for entrants - for example, the arithmetic competition was divided into boys under 15, girls under 15, and under 12 and under 10 categories. Exhibits included the works of school children and apprentices. Awards consisted of gold, silver and bronze medals, and Certificates of Honorable Mention. A certificate also accompanied each medal.

Physical Description

A silver medal featuring a head of Queen Victoria facing left wearing veil and coronet with only the mint name in tiny lettering and on the reverse the winners name, Frank Edwards engraved within an olive wreath with the name of the exhibition, THE VICTORIAN JUVENILE INDUSTRIAL EXHIBITION 1888 around the rim.

Obverse Description

A head of Queen Victoria facing left wearing veil and coronet with the mint name in tiny lettering STOKES & MARTIN MELB.

Reverse Description

The winner's name, Frank Edwards, engraved within an olive wreath with the name of the exhibition, THE VICTORIAN JUVENILE INDUSTRIAL EXHIBITION 1888 around the rim.

Edge Description

Plain

Significance

The Exhibition aimed to 'show the advancement of Education in Victoria, and to stimulate a spirit of evaluation amongst the Youth of the colony. The Executive Commissioners intend to devote the surplus funds resulting from the Exhibition for the encouragement of Technical Education in Victoria' (Catalogue of Exhibits, p.5). The Patron of the Exhibition was Sir Henry Brougham Lock, Governor of Victoria. The Exhibition opened in Melbourne on 28 March 1888, and remained open for four months. 'Young people' aged 21 or under were invited to contribute models, working or otherwise, in any material, not to exceed one cubic yard of content. A special category allowed people over the age of 21 to also enter. Exhibitors were permitted to sell their exhibitions, and were not charged for the space unless they were over the age of 21. A broad range of exhibits included processed foods, stuffed animals, photographs, men's and boys' clothing, needlework, tinware, ironwork, architectural models, furniture, buggies and other vehicles, agricultural implements, drawings and carvings. Competitions were also held, in writing, reading, spelling, arithetic, elocution, music, singing, cooking, etc. Age ranges were specified for entrants - for example, the arithmetic competition was divided into boys under 15, girls under 15, and under 12 and under 10 categories. Exhibits included the works of school children and apprentices. Awards consisted of gold, silver and bronze medals, and Certificates of Honorable Mention. A certificate also accompanied each medal. -Official Catalogue: Victorial Juvenile Industrial Exhibition, Melbourne, 1888. -D. Tout-Smith 20/11/2003.

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