Summary

Medal minted for the Victorian Intercolonial Exhibition, 1875, and the Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia, 1876. It was awarded to the Hon. Samuel Henry Bindon.

The Exhibition was opened in Melbourne in September 1875 and closed in November of the same year. Winning exhibits were sent to Philadelphia for display in its Centennial Exhibition, which opened on 10 May 1876.

This medal was designed by Oswald Rose Campbell, engraved by Julius Hogarth and struck by Stokes and Martin. At the time this medal was awarded, Samuel Bindon was one of only three county court judges in the colony. He was desparately over-worked and near the end of his life. Bindon had been Victorian Minister for Justice, and was convinced of the need to develop the agricultural and industrial wealth of the country. He succeeded in passing special grants for industrial exhibitions, which led to the Melbourne Exhibition of 1866. His greatest success occured when he became chair of the technological commission of 1869, Australia's first official organization for technical education. He published Industrial Instruction in Europe and Australia in 1872.

Physical Description

A large silver prize medal (69 mm diameter) awarded to Samuel Henry Bindon. It features a globe which shows the Pacific ocean; supporters on either side of the globe - Capt. James Cook, left, and Christopher Colombus right each dressed and carrying navigational instruments of their era; above, rising sun; the globe rests on a plinth with MELBOURNE. 1875 incuse; in the exergue: PHILADELPHIA /1876 / STOKES & MARTIN MELBOURNE; On exergue line: O.R.CAMPBELL.DES. J.HOGARTH. FEC

Obverse Description

At centre, a globe which shows the Pacific ocean; supporters on either side of the globe - Capt. James Cook, left, and Christopher Colombus right each dressed in, and carrying navigational instruments of, their era; above, rising sun; the globe rests on a plinth with MELBOURNE. 1875 incuse; in the exergue: PHILADELPHIA /1876 / STOKES & MARTIN MELBOURNE; On exergue line the artist's names: O.R.CAMPBELL.DES. J.HOGARTH. FEC

Reverse Description

Within a wreath, INGENS/PATEAT TELLVS/* * * * */NEC SIT TERRIS/VLTIMA/THVLE above the junction of the two branches of the wreath the artist's initials in tiny letters, T.S.

Edge Description

Impressed; THE HON. SAMUEL HENRY BINDON.

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