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]
| South African International Exhibition | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| BIE-class | Unrecognized exposition |
| Name | South African International Exhibition |
| Participant(s) | |
| Countries | At least 5 (including colonies), potentially 11 or more |
| Location | |
| Country | Cape Colony |
| City | Cape Town, Cape Colony |
| Coordinates | 33°55′42″S 18°25′07″E / 33.9282485°S 18.41851°E |
| Timeline | |
| Opening | 15 February 1877 |
| Closure | 17 November 1877 |
Location
editThe 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
editDuring 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
editAfter 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]
References
edit- ^ 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.
- ^ "Cape Colony: South African International Exhibition, Cape Town". Retrieved 15 June 2017.
- ^ "Event View - Calendar – Iziko Museums". Retrieved 7 February 2019.
- ^ a b Chemical News, Manufacturing chemists, 20 October 1776, p. 169
- ^ a b c d e "South African International Exhibition". The British Architect and Northern Engineer. VI (11): 171. September 15, 1876. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
- ^ a b "Lodge de Goede Hoop and the Cape House of Assembly | Grand Lodge of South Africa - Southern Division". Retrieved 16 June 2017.
- ^ "Biography of the founder - Wertheim". Retrieved 16 June 2017.
- ^ "WILLIAM TAYLOR SEWING MACHINE, SEWALOT". Retrieved 17 June 2017.
- ^ "Exhibitions Study Guide v1-0 PDF.pdf" (PDF). Retrieved 17 June 2017.
- ^ "Rylands & Sons Ltd | Science Museum Group Collection". Retrieved 16 June 2017.
- ^ 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.
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