South African International Exhibition

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-classUnrecognized exposition
NameSouth African International Exhibition
Participant(s)
CountriesAt least 5 (including colonies), potentially 11 or more
Location
CountryCape Colony
CityCape Town, Cape Colony
Coordinates33°55′42″S 18°25′07″E / 33.9282485°S 18.41851°E / -33.9282485; 18.41851
Timeline
Opening15 February 1877
Closure17 November 1877

Location

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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

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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

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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]

References

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  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. ^ a b Chemical News, Manufacturing chemists, 20 October 1776, p. 169
  5. ^ 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.
  6. ^ a b "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)