User:Stephen2nd/Victorian Era Exhibition 1897

The Victorian Era Exhibition of 1897 held in Earls Court London, England, was created to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the 1837 succession of Queen Victoria. The exhibition was officially opened by HRH the Duke of Cambridge, on May 24th 1897. The Director General of the Exhibition was Imre Kiralfy. The main exhibition building, measuring approximately 400 foot in length x 60 foot width, was divided into two sections, the west wing for the Historical & Commemorative Section, which was subdivided into the Military and Naval Room linked by a corridor to the Historical Room, at either side of the corridor, the Dickens and Thackeray Room opposite the Royal Room. The east wing was solely devoted to the Fine Art Section, exhibiting works from artists such as Edward Henry Corbould.

Entertainment
At the exterior of the main building the grounds were used for numerous outdoor exhibitions such as The Great Wheel, stated as the largest in the world at that time, and spectacular displays by such showmen as Buffalo Bill and his Wild West Show, reputed as a favorite of Queen Victoria, also films and "Ghost illusions" by the Liverpudlian Randall Williams. Water-slides and various aqua-exhibitions were displayed in flooded parts of the outdoor arena. Seen as a novelty at that time, working "Baby Incubators" were also displayed by Dr. Martin A. Couney (1870-1950).

Dickens Memorial

 * ART AND LETTERS ROOM: THE CHARLES DICKENS MEMORIAL''',

(Between Historical and Naval Corridor and Military rooms.)


 * CASE – DICKENS MEMORIALS
 * 325A. 	Silver Two-Handled Loving Cup, with Stand. Presented to Charles Dickens from the Philosophical Institution, Edinburgh. 26th March 1858.
 * 325B. 	Pair of Silver and Tortoise-Shell Ash trays. A Memento presented by Benjamin Disraeli, (afterwards Earl of Beaconsfield.) to Charles Dickens. Gadshill, November 16th, 1852. Lent by James Orrock, Esq RI.
 * 325C.	DISPATCH BOX used by Charles Dickens on his last visit and reading tour to America. With leather cover of the same. Some of the adventures of this Dispatch Box are related by Dickens. See Life of Charles Dickens by John Forster. Lent by J Ashby Sterry, Esq.
 * 325D.	WRITING DESK of Thomas Hood The humourist, (1789-1845). Authenticating Documents in possession of the exhibitor. The Desk was given by Mrs. Hood to the late Thomas Reseigh, and was inherited by the present owner. Lent by James Martin, Esq.
 * 325 E.	COLLECTION OF AUTOGRAPH LETTERS OF:- Charles Dickens, Douglas Jerrold, Carlisle, Cardinal Manning, Cruickshank, Wilkie Collins, Tennyson, Thackeray, Darwin, Thomas Hood, &c., &c. Lent by Maitland Coffin.
 * 325F.	TWO AUTOGRAPH LETTERS. The last letter written by the Duke of Wellington. Letter from Thomas Hood to Landseer. Lent by Algernon Graves, Esq., F.S.A.


 * CARLYLE RELIC
 * 325G.	WRITING TABLE, formerly the Property of Thomas Carlyle, bequeathed by him to Sir James Fitzjames Stephen, Bart., K.C.S.I. Lent by Sir Herbert Stephen, Bart.
 * 325H.	H.R.H. THE PRINCE OF WALES (Bronze Statuette). Lent by M.H. Spielman, Esq.

1897; Victoria Era Exhibition Catalogue

Memorabilia

 * Commemorative Medal

A memorial Medal (50mm) was struck by Spink & Son, London, for the 1897 Victorian Era Exhibition. The coin has a raised image of Queen Victoria stating: Victoria D: G: Britt: Regina F: D: Ind: Imp in commemor an reg sexagesimi MDCCCXCVII. The back states Victorian Era Exhibition, opened by HRH The Duke of Cambridge, May 24th 1897.