Photograph - Victorian Locomotives, Eastern Machinery Annexe, Exhibition Building, 1880-1881

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Summary:: View of two locally manufactured steam locomotives in the Victorian machinery section of the Eastern Machinery Annexe at the 1880 Melbourne International Exhibition held at the Exhibition Buildings, Carlton Gardens, between 1 October 1880 and 30 April 1881.

In addition to the main permanent Exhibition Building, two permanent annexes as well as a large, central wooden temporary annexe was constructed to house the courts of various countries, or to include larger items from countries already represented in the main Building. The eastern permanent annexe was known as the Machinery Annexe, and housed exhibits from Victoria and Great Britain. A corresponding Western Machinery Annexe on the opposite side of the Carlton Gardens included exhibits from France and the United States, as well as minor displays from New South Wales, South Australia and New Zealand.

Of the two locomotives exhibited, one - a passenger O-Class steam locomotive - was produced by the Phoenix Foundry, Ballarat, while the other was a goods and freight engine manufactured by the Victorian government workshops at Williamstown. Phoenix Foundry had delivered their first engine to the Victorian Railways in February 1873, and subsequently enjoyed a steady stream of contracts across the remainder of the century. At the time of exhibition, it was reported that of the 100 locomotives then in service, 62 had been supplied by Phoenix Foundry. The company would produce a total of 352 locomotives, built across 38 different designs, between 1873-1904.

This is one of sixty-one photographs in a presentation photograph album titled '1880 Melbourne International Exhibition' presented to Thomas B. Hill. Hill was the Assistant Secretary of the 1880 Melbourne International Exhibition. This leather bound album was given to Hill, and all the Exhibition Commissioners, by the Exhibition Trustees. The photographer is believed to be Ludovico Hart, acting on a private commission from the Exhibition Trustees.
Description:: Monochrome photograph in a black leather bound album with decorative gold tooled border and gold tooled lettering in centre of front cover. Inside, 61 monochrome photographic plates showing exterior and interior views of the 1880 International Exhibition, held at the Royal Exhibition Building, Melbourne. Each photograph is mounted on heavy buff coloured card and has a simple black line border with a title beneath the photograph.
Statement Of Significance:: The Royal Exhibition Building has played an important role in Melbourne's social commercial and sporting life since it was built for the Melbourne International Exhibition in 1880. The building's size and scale provide us with a physical example of 'boom-time' Melbourne in 1880. The international exhibitions of the late 1800s provided the fledgling Australian colonies with a forum in which to showcase their progress in commerce and industry to the world. This album is significant for its detailed visual record of the first international exhibition held in Melbourne. It has clear views of the colonial & international courts, as well as specific prominent exhibits. It also provides a contemporary view of the Exhibition Building interior and exterior in the year it was constructed.
Description Of Content:: International Exhibition at Exhibition Building, Melbourne, 1880: interior view showing the Victorian locomotives section.
Acquisition Information:: Transfer from Trustees of the Royal Exhibition Building (REB), 1991
Acknowledgement:: Source: Museum Victoria

Discipline:	History
Dimensions:	235 mm (Height), 288 mm (Width)
Dimension Comment:	Dimensions of photograph only

More information

Tagged with:	civic mementoes, exhibitions, exhibitions melbourne international 1880-1881, buildings, keepsakes, royal exhibition building, medal presentations, public ceremonies, steam engines, photography, railways, railway locomotives, royal exhibition building trustees, royal exhibition building history of events 1879-1899
Themes this item is part of:	Ludovico Hart, Photographer (circa1836-1919), Images & Image Making Collection, Public Life & Institutions Collection, Royal Exhibition Building Collection
Primary Classification:	PUBLIC EVENTS
Secondary Classification:	Melbourne International Exhibition 1880
Tertiary Classification:	photograph albums
Inscriptions:	Printed in black ink on card below the photograph: '13. VICTORIAN LOCOMOTIVES.'
Format:	Photograph: Monochrome
Place & Date Depicted:	Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 1880
Manufactured For:	Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 1880
Photographer:	Ludovico Hart, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 1880
Presented To:	Mr Thomas Hill - Melbourne Commission, 1880 Melbourne International Exhibition, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 1880
Presented By:	The Exhibition Trustees, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 1880
References:	'The Victorian Locomotives', Argus Exhibition Supplement, 11 October 1880, pp.22-23. On Ludovico Hart see: The Aust'n Photographic Journal, March 20 1896, p.56.