Search the collections
Similar items over time
Photograph - British Court, Main Avenue, Exhibition Building, 1880-1881
Reg. No: MM 107814
- Summary:
- View of the displays of English china and glassware at the front of the British Court in the central temporary annexe on the western side of the main avenue 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 main avenue was the central corridor that extended through the temporary annexes, leading northwards from the main permament Exhibition Buildings. Many of the major European countries had their courts situated on the western side of the main avenue, while the eastern side included exhibits from smaller countries and from other Australian colonies. Like many other major European countries, Great Britain had a court in the Great Hall of the main Exhibition Buildings, and a second, larger display area was also allocated in the south-western corner of the main temporary annexe, bordering the French Court. Britain was also represented by exhibits both in the eastern machinery annexe and the specifically devoted British Machinery Annexe which housed displays of agricultural equipment, both on the eastern side of the Carlton Gardens.
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 British section of china and glassware displays.
- Acquisition Information:
- Transfer from Trustees of the Royal Exhibition Building (REB), 1991
- Acknowledgement:
- Source: Museum Victoria
| Discipline: | History |
| Dimensions: | 233 mm (Height), 291 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, photography, ceramics, royal exhibition building trustees, royal exhibition building history of events 1879-1899, chinaware |
| Themes this item is part of: | Ludovico Hart, Photographer (circa1836-1919), Images & Image Making Collection, Public Life & Institutions Collection, Royal Exhibition Building Collection, Mintons, Potters &Tile Manufactures, Stoke-upon-Trent, England, 1790s-1960s |
| Primary Classification: | PUBLIC EVENTS |
| Secondary Classification: | Melbourne International Exhibition 1880 |
| Tertiary Classification: | photograph albums |
| Inscriptions: | Printed in black ink on card below the photograph: '15. BRITISH CHINA AND GLASSWARE. - MAIN AVENUE.' |
| 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 |
| Exhibitor: | Minton's China Works, Stoke-on-Trent, England, Great Britain, 1880 |
| References: |
'Great Britain', Argus Exhibition Supplement, 6 October 1880, p.12. On Ludovico Hart see: The Aust'n Photographic Journal, March 20 1896, p.56. |
Themes
This item is part of the following themes:
Add your question or comment