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Medal - Australian Juvenile Industrial Exhibition, Ballarat, Victoria, Australia, 1878
Reg. No: NU 35015
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- Summary:
- Australia Victoria Ballarat
Ballarat Juvenile Industrial Exhibition Silver Prize Medal 1878 (AD)
Mint: Melbourne
Other Details: This is an unissued silver prize medal struck for the Australian Industrial Exhibition of 1878 held in Ballarat. The Ballarat Juvenile Industrial Exhibition was held to encourage young people to compete in 'works of industry and usefulness', to impress the dignity and honour of labour, to nurture those in the trades, to show handiwork, to share ideas, to develop the idea of 'useful employment' in leisure hours and to create a 'taste for the fine arts and ornamental works, so as to make the home attractive'. People under the age of 21, of both sexes, were invited to participate. Parents, employers and teachers were asked to enourage participation. The Patron of the Exhibition was Sir George Bowen, KCMG, Governor of Victoria. The Exhibition was intended to be inter-colonial, but only New Zealand 'entered the competition with spirit'. It opened on 15 February 1878 in the Alfred Hall, the market sheds and adjoining grounds. A total of 5105 exhibits were mounted. Entry categories included furniture, boots and shoes, brassware and tinware, agricultural implements, processed foods, handcrafts and art, maps and plans, shorthand and writing, photography and jewellery. The Alfred Hall was decorated for the opening ceremony with tree ferns and a fountain resembling a volcano. The dais was covered with crimson carpet, contrasting with green and gold chairs. A choir sang 'God Save the Queen', the Governor was cheered, and speeches were made. The Governor declared the Exhibition open, then repaired to a grand banquet. Daily entry to the Exhibition cost 1s for adults and 6d for children, with some days more expensive; season tickets were also available. Promenade concerts were held each evening. No gold medals were awarded for the exhibits, which caused some discontent in the media, but the Committee argued that no entrant had deserved a gold medal (in spite of generous praise in the Official Catalogue). 205 silver and 172 bronze medals were awarded, as well as 444 first class certificates, 230 second class and 52 third class. A full list of medal-winners was published in the Courier, Star and Evening Post. The total cost of medals and certificates was 412 pounds 10s. The exhibition closed on 1 June. It had attracted 159,500 visitors, with total takings of 4,466 pounds. - Description:
- A Silver Prize medal (47 mm diameter) of the Ballaarat exhibition of 1878. It features Industry crowning a young entrant who kneels and holds a railway steam engine, with a victor's wreath.
- Acquisition Information:
- Transfer from National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), 1976
| Discipline: | Numismatics |
| Dimensions: | 47 mm (Diameter) |
| Weight: | 68.18 g (Weight) |
More information
| Tagged with: | education, exhibitions, iconography |
| Themes this item is part of: | George McArthur, Collector & Baker (1842-1903), Public Life & Institutions Collection, Ernst August Altmann, Jeweller & Engraver (circa 1850-1920), Melbourne Mint, Medal Makers, Victoria, Australia, Deputy Masters of the Melbourne Branch of the Royal Mint, Closure of Melbourne Mint, Melbourne Mint during World War II, Establishment of Melbourne Mint, 1872, Melbourne Mint |
| Primary Classification: | MEDALS |
| Secondary Classification: | Commemorative |
| Tertiary Classification: | exhibitions |
| Series: | Australian Exhibition Medals |
| DateEra: | 1878 AD |
| Obverse Description: | Industry standing facing left crowning a young entrant, who kneels right and holds a railway steam engine, with a victor's wreath; in exergue, INDUSTRIA and in small letters the artist's name, ALTMANN MELBOURNE |
| Reverse Description: | At centre within a broad rim, BALLAARAT 1878; around on broad rim, AUSTRALIAN JUVENILE INDUSTRIAL EXHIBITION |
| Edge Description: | Plain |
| Inscriptions: | Obverse: INDUSTRIA and in small letters the artist's name, ALTMANN MELBOURNE Reverse: AUSTRALIAN JUVENILE INDUSTRIAL EXHIBITION BALLAARAT 1878 Edge: Plain |
| Material: | Silver |
| Issued By: | Ballarat, Victoria, Australia, 1878 |
| Mint: | Melbourne (Mint) |
| Artist: | Ernst Altmann, 1878 |
| References: |
Car.1878/1 in silver Official Record, Containing Introduction, Inaugural Ceremonies, General Notes, etc, by Charles J. Richardson, Corresponding Secretary (State Library of Victoria Rare Books). |
Themes
This item is part of the following themes:
- George McArthur, Collector & Baker (1842-1903)
- Public Life & Institutions Collection
- Ernst August Altmann, Jeweller & Engraver (circa 1850-1920)
- Melbourne Mint, Medal Makers, Victoria, Australia
- Deputy Masters of the Melbourne Branch of the Royal Mint
- Closure of Melbourne Mint
- Melbourne Mint during World War II
- Establishment of Melbourne Mint, 1872
- Melbourne Mint
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