Joseph Grego - Victorian Era Exhibition 1897

Victorian Era Exhibition 1897

Joseph Grego was also a named member of the Honorary Sub-Committee, as an organiser and contributor to; the Historical and Commemorative Section; Charles Dickens Memorials; Art and Letters; for the Victorian Era Exhibition. Earls Court 1897. Opened by HRH The Duke of Cambridge, May 24, 1897. This section of the exhibition depicted relics, autographs, paintings, and drawings illustrating novels by Dickens, and also a selection of works by the great Pictorial Humorists of the Victorian Era, &c. The exhibition began with items (58-71), (NB: 1-57 not listed/exhibited), with a series of drawings by Charles Green, RI, illustrating eight of the Dickens works, followed by further (C Green) works lent by Joseph Grego &c &c. This Art Gallery is listed (58-325) concluding with the Dickens Memorial Room, listing items (325a - 325h). Both sections were exhibited in the West-wing of the Earls Court venue.
1897: Victorian Era Exhibition, foreword: “The history of Pickwick – The section undertaken by Mr. Joseph Grego is the fullest collection of Dickensiana ever gathered into one focus. There are (268) illustrations of his works by his contemporaries, some unique and even unpublished*.”

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. 26 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 16, 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.

VEE 1897. Commemorative Medal

A memorial Medal (50mm) was struck in the Exhibition by Spink & Son, London, commemorating the Victorian Era Exhibition of 1897, held at Earls Court. The front of the coin has a raised image of Queen Victoria with the surrounding writing Victoria D: G: Britt: Regina F: D: Ind: Imp in commemor an reg sexagesimi MDCCCXCVII. The back of the coin carries the wording Victorian Era Exhibition, opened by HRH The Duke of Cambridge, May 24, 1897.

See also

"A Pictorial Reminiscence of a Visit to the Victorian Era Exhibition Earl's Court 1897", an 18 page illustrated booklet issued by Fownes' Gloves.