South African International Exhibition

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South African International Exhibition
GoedeHoop Masonic Lodge 1872 - Cape Parliament.jpg
Overview
BIE-classUnrecognized exposition
NameSouth African International Exhibition
Participant(s)
CountriesAt least 5 (including colonies), potentially 11 or more
Location
Country Cape Colony
City Cape Town, Cape Colony
Coordinates 33°55′42″S18°25′07″E / 33.9282485°S 18.41851°E / -33.9282485; 18.41851
Timeline
Opening15 February 1877
Closure17 November 1877

The South African International Exhibition was a world's fair held in Cape Town, Cape Colony in 1877. [1] It was officially opened on 15 February of that year [2] [3] by Henry Bartle Frere.[ citation needed ]

Contents

Location

The exhibition was held inside a custom-made building [4] that was constructed out of glass and iron in a style reminiscent of The Crystal Palace that housed London's Great Exhibition. [5] It was located on the grounds of the Freemasons' Lodge de Goede Hoop, which was being used as the Parliament of the Cape of Good Hope at that time. [6]

Exhibits

During 1876, Signor Cagli had canvassed American and European industries to exhibit “manufactures of all kinds”, [6] which were to be grouped in 10 classes: alimentation, chemicals (perfume, medicine and surgical equipment), furniture, fabric and jewelry, transport vehicles and equipment, hardware, machinery, agriculture, science and education, and miscellany such as fire extinguishers. [4] [5] Cagli's proposal was supported by the then-Colonial Secretary, Lord Carnarvon. [5]

The only countries and colonies with known recorded exhibitors include Great Britain, the Cape Colony, Natal, the Orange Free State, and Griqualand West. [5] However, representatives of the exhibition organizers were present and accepting submissions during the preceding months in "Paris, Berlin, Vienna, Turin and Amsterdam." [5] As such, it seems likely that exhibitors from France, the German Empire, Austria-Hungary, the Kingdom of Italy, and the Netherlands also presented at the fair. Individual exhibitors included: Wertheim safes; [7] Taylor's sewing machines, who won a medal; [8] Sheffield-based Samuel Marshall, who showed hooks, hay knives, scythes and sheep shears; [9] and linen manufacturers Rylands & Sons, who won a prize (followed by another a year later at the Paris exhibition). [10]

Aftermath

After the exhibition, the main building was used as an assembly hall and a theatre, aptly called the Exhibition Theatre. In the afternoon of 21 February 1892, around 3:30 PM, carpenters and scenery painters were preparing for a new play when a fire broke out near the theatre entrance. In less than one hour, the entire building was destroyed, along with the adjoining Masonic Lodge and Native Affairs Office. [11]

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References

  1. Pelle, Findling, ed. (2008). "Appendix D:Fairs Not Included". Encyclopedia of World's Fairs and Expositions. McFarland & Company, Inc. p. 424. ISBN   978-0-7864-3416-9.
  2. "Cape Colony: South African International Exhibition, Cape Town" . Retrieved 15 June 2017.
  3. "Event View - Calendar Iziko Museums" . Retrieved 7 February 2019.
  4. 1 2 Chemical News, Manufacturing chemists, 20 October 1776, p. 169
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 "South African International Exhibition". The British Architect and Northern Engineer. VI (11): 171. September 15, 1876. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  6. 1 2 "Lodge de Goede Hoop and the Cape House of Assembly | Grand Lodge of South Africa - Southern Division" . Retrieved 16 June 2017.
  7. "Biography of the founder - Wertheim" . Retrieved 16 June 2017.
  8. "WILLIAM TAYLOR SEWING MACHINE, SEWALOT" . Retrieved 17 June 2017.
  9. "Exhibitions Study Guide v1-0 PDF.pdf" (PDF). Retrieved 17 June 2017.
  10. "Rylands & Sons Ltd | Science Museum Group Collection" . Retrieved 16 June 2017.
  11. The 1892 South African and International Exhibition, Kimberley. Alexander McGregor Memorial Museum, South African and International Exhibition. [Kimberley]: McGregor Museum. 1992. ISBN   0-620-17087-5. OCLC   34046200.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)