Victorian Era Exhibition 1897
Encyclopedia
The Victorian Era Exhibition 1897; was held to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee
, and the overall Victorian Era
of Queen Victoria, celebrating her 60th year on the Throne. (1837–1897), the exhibition was held at Earls Court
, and was opened by HRH The Duke of Cambridge
, May 24, 1897. Unlike the later, "Earls Court (1) and current Earls Court (2)," this venue was mainly an outdoor arena, housing the Great Wheel
, largest Ferris wheel
in the world, from which you could see Windsor Castle
on a clear day, the largest Water Chute in the world, and also including exhibitions of the equestrian Cowboy
and Indian marvels of the entire Buffalo Bill
s Wild West show, a favorite of Queen Victoria. The indoor exhibition; was housed in a building approximately 360 foot long x 70 foot wide. The West-wing housed the Historical and Commemorative Section, consisting of the Historical Room, the Dickens
and Thackeray
Room opposite the Royal Room, and the Military and Naval Room, the East-wing housing the Fine Art Section.
The idea of introducing an entertainment venue to the grounds was brought about by an entrepreneur called John Robinson Whitley, who introduced Buffalo Bill
's Wild West Show, and a huge observation wheel to the grounds in the late 19th century. The Earls Court Great Wheel
was 300 ft high, the tallest Ferris wheel in the world, at that time, (London Eye
is 450 ft high) and was built in 1896, then dismantled in 1906/7 for scrap. The wheel only broke down once shortly after opening with sixty or seventy passengers on board. They remained stuck for about four hours and received £5 5s in compensation, a substantial sum in those times.
Another major attraction at the VEE Earls Court arena, was Captain Paul Boyton
's water chute which was completed in 1899. The Captain flooded the arena in 1893 and built the 70 ft high chute backing on to Lillie Road at today's West Brompton
entrance. The ride was considered to be the biggest ride of its kind on either side of the Atlantic. Some of the other early exhibitions and shows that took place when Earls Court was an open arena include: The Empire of India Exhibition (1896), (VEE 1897), The Military Exhibition (1901), Paris in London Exhibition (1902), the International Fire Exhibition (1903), and Venice by Night (1904).
King of Showmen; Randall Kay Williams (1846–1898), was a popular showman who exhibited throughout Britain during the Victorian era. Starting with a small conjuring act, then a magic show, his show evolved into one of Britain's most elaborate Ghost Illusion Shows. The highlight of his career, was 1897 during which he exhibited both "Animated Photographs" and the "original Pepper's Ghost" at the VEE, in which he was heavily involved with throughout the summer.
"Each performance comprised a few short films, of one to three minutes duration. 'The Czar in Paris' and an exhibition of animated photographs of her Jubilee Procession, a favorite of the Queen, for whom it was a glimpse of the family - 'A Paris Boulevard' - which showed the fashions (for the Ladies) and their wearers (for the gentlemen) and the 'March Past of the Royal Blues' appealed to patriots of both sexes and all ages. 'Annabelle Serpentine Dance' (sic) was quite risqué, with glimpses of stockinged ankles! It is likely that Haydon & Urry supplied the cinematograph that Randall used at the Victorian Era Exhibition, as well as the Queen's Jubilee Procession films. The firm's advertising claimed that their "Eragraph" had been used "with unqualified success at “Victorian Era Exhibition all Last Season.”
Randall spent the entire 1897 summer season at the VEE in London, in addition, while attending the World’s Fair in January, he had taken under his wing a group of young American gymnast
s known as the Brothers LaFayette – a High Wire act emulating Blondin’s feats, during the summer, he acted as their agent while their performances at the VEE garnered a lot of attention and enthusiastic acclaim. “The Brothers Lafayette, the clever young gymnasts are attracting considerable attention at the Victorian Era Exhibition by their wire act. Their narrow causeway, half an inch in diameter, is stretched 12ft above the auditorium. The young Blondins march forward and backward, pass and re-pass, walk upon hands, hop on one foot, kneel, and lie at ease. For their final feat, one brother hangs head downwards while the other stands on his head upon the rope.” (Music Hall Gossip: The Era, Sept 11, 1897)
, who was 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. 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: VEE, 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 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
CARLYLE RELIC
One of the VEE exhibitors was Edward Henry Corbould
RI (1815–1905), displaying "the Marquis of Waterford at the Eglinton Tournament
," dated August 31, 1839, in watercolour, signed with an artist's pallet enclosing the initials RI and dated 1894. Exhibited VEE, Earls Court, 1897, Item 209, Fine Art Section (East-wing). In 1842 Queen Victoria and the Prince Consort
visited the galleries of the Royal Institute, opposite Marlborough House, and purchased a water-colour painting by Mr. Corbould, then a young member of the Institute. Many of his works were subsequently purchased by Queen Victoria and went to Osborne House
and Buckingham Palace
. Edward Henry Corbould was appointed 'Instructor in Historical Painting' to the Royal Family in 1851. He taught a number of members of the family over the following twenty-one years and many of his best works were acquired by Queen Victoria, Prince Albert and other members of the Royal family. He produced a large number of illustrations for historical, biblical, and literary subjects, including Chaucer, Spencer
and Shakespeare.
Incubators
Dr. Martin A. Couney
(1870-1950) a pioneer in neonatal care, and student of Dr.Pierre-Constant Budin
has saved thousands of infants by an unorthodox method of putting incubators of prematurely born babies on display. While technically being a carnival show, the treatment of babies was ethically sound and paid for itself.* Dr. Martin Couney began his career displaying premature infants in incubators at the 1896 Berlin Exposition. Couney called his Berlin display the Kinderbrutanstalt: the “child hatchery” (Silverman 1979:129) or the “baby-hatching apparatus” (Koolhaas 1994:51). Although his self-professed aim was to demonstrate scientific progress in the treatment of premature births, the display’s name took on a life of its own, becoming “celebrated in comic songs and music-hall gags in Berlin
even before the Exposition opened. What had begun as a sober scientific demonstration became a crowd show that outdrew the other attractions. From the beginning, Couney’s career was situated at the intersection of medical progress, sideshow spectacle, and technical enchantment. A Berlin hospital supplied premature babies to fill the incubators; because physicians expected the babies to die, Couney was not liable for the loan of life. But the Lion incubators demonstrated their proficiency in sustaining premature life through careful control of heat, Kinderbrutanstalt 5 hygiene, and alimentation, and all of the preemies survived. A representative of the 1897 Victorian Era Exhibition at Earl’s Court invited Couney and the Lion incubators to the upcoming London fair. Success at the Berlin exhibition firmly ensconced Couney’s display in the global circuit of World’s Fairs. By the end of his career, Couney had displayed in 22 expositions (Corby 1939). In 1898, he traveled to the Omaha Trans-Mississippi Exposition, back to Europe for the 1900 Paris Exposition, and once again to America for the 1901 Buffalo fair.
Florence Nightingale
was probably the first non-royal woman to be the object of such extraordinary adulation, says Mr Bostridge, author of "Florence Nightingale - The Woman and the Legend". But she hated the fame and thought all the things swept up in it, like the lamp and her pet owl Athena, were trivial. When in 1897 someone asked her for her portrait, to go into the trained nursing section of the Victorian Era (diamond jubilee) Exhibition at Earl's Court, she responded by saying:
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.
Diamond Jubilee
A Diamond Jubilee is a celebration held to mark a 60th anniversary in the case of a person or a 75th anniversary in the case of an event.- Thailand :...
, and the overall Victorian Era
Victorian era
The Victorian era of British history was the period of Queen Victoria's reign from 20 June 1837 until her death on 22 January 1901. It was a long period of peace, prosperity, refined sensibilities and national self-confidence...
of Queen Victoria, celebrating her 60th year on the Throne. (1837–1897), the exhibition was held at Earls Court
Earls Court
Earls Court is a district in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea in London, England. It is an inner-city district centred on Earl's Court Road and surrounding streets, located 3.1 miles west south-west of Charing Cross. It borders the sub-districts of South Kensington to the East, West...
, and was opened by HRH The Duke of Cambridge
Duke of Cambridge
Duke of Cambridge is a title which has been conferred upon members of the British royal family several times. It was first used as a designation for Charles Stuart , the eldest son of James, Duke of York , though he was never formally created Duke of Cambridge...
, May 24, 1897. Unlike the later, "Earls Court (1) and current Earls Court (2)," this venue was mainly an outdoor arena, housing the Great Wheel
Great Wheel
The Great Wheel was a Ferris wheel built for the Empire of India Exhibition at Earls Court in London in 1895.Great Wheel may also refer to:* Beijing Great Wheel, a Ferris wheel proposed for Beijing, China...
, largest Ferris wheel
Ferris wheel
A Ferris wheel is a nonbuilding structure consisting of a rotating upright wheel with passenger cars attached to the rim in such a way that as the wheel turns, the cars are kept upright, usually by gravity.Some of the largest and most modern Ferris wheels have cars mounted on...
in the world, from which you could see Windsor Castle
Windsor Castle
Windsor Castle is a medieval castle and royal residence in Windsor in the English county of Berkshire, notable for its long association with the British royal family and its architecture. The original castle was built after the Norman invasion by William the Conqueror. Since the time of Henry I it...
on a clear day, the largest Water Chute in the world, and also including exhibitions of the equestrian Cowboy
Cowboy
A cowboy is an animal herder who tends cattle on ranches in North America, traditionally on horseback, and often performs a multitude of other ranch-related tasks. The historic American cowboy of the late 19th century arose from the vaquero traditions of northern Mexico and became a figure of...
and Indian marvels of the entire Buffalo Bill
Buffalo Bill
William Frederick "Buffalo Bill" Cody was a United States soldier, bison hunter and showman. He was born in the Iowa Territory , in LeClaire but lived several years in Canada before his family moved to the Kansas Territory. Buffalo Bill received the Medal of Honor in 1872 for service to the US...
s Wild West show, a favorite of Queen Victoria. The indoor exhibition; was housed in a building approximately 360 foot long x 70 foot wide. The West-wing housed the Historical and Commemorative Section, consisting of the Historical Room, the Dickens
Charles Dickens
Charles John Huffam Dickens was an English novelist, generally considered the greatest of the Victorian period. Dickens enjoyed a wider popularity and fame than had any previous author during his lifetime, and he remains popular, having been responsible for some of English literature's most iconic...
and Thackeray
Thackeray
Thackeray is the name of:*William Makepeace Thackeray, a novelist*Bal Thackeray, an Indian politician*Edward Talbot Thackeray, a recipient of the Victoria Cross*A David Thackeray, a South African astronomer...
Room opposite the Royal Room, and the Military and Naval Room, the East-wing housing the Fine Art Section.
Entertainment
Buffalo Bill
William Frederick "Buffalo Bill" Cody was a United States soldier, bison hunter and showman. He was born in the Iowa Territory , in LeClaire but lived several years in Canada before his family moved to the Kansas Territory. Buffalo Bill received the Medal of Honor in 1872 for service to the US...
's Wild West Show, and a huge observation wheel to the grounds in the late 19th century. The Earls Court Great Wheel
Great Wheel
The Great Wheel was a Ferris wheel built for the Empire of India Exhibition at Earls Court in London in 1895.Great Wheel may also refer to:* Beijing Great Wheel, a Ferris wheel proposed for Beijing, China...
was 300 ft high, the tallest Ferris wheel in the world, at that time, (London Eye
London Eye
The London Eye is a tall giant Ferris wheel situated on the banks of the River Thames, in London, England.It is the tallest Ferris wheel in Europe, and the most popular paid tourist attraction in the United Kingdom, visited by over 3.5 million people annually...
is 450 ft high) and was built in 1896, then dismantled in 1906/7 for scrap. The wheel only broke down once shortly after opening with sixty or seventy passengers on board. They remained stuck for about four hours and received £5 5s in compensation, a substantial sum in those times.
Another major attraction at the VEE Earls Court arena, was Captain Paul Boyton
Paul Boyton
Paul Boyton , known as the Fearless Frogman, was a showman and adventurer some credit as having spurred worldwide interest in water sports as a hobby, particularly open-water swimming...
's water chute which was completed in 1899. The Captain flooded the arena in 1893 and built the 70 ft high chute backing on to Lillie Road at today's West Brompton
West Brompton
West Brompton is an area of South West London, within the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.-History:The name refers to the older locality of Brompton to the east, although the areas of South Kensington and Earl's Court separate West Brompton from its namesake...
entrance. The ride was considered to be the biggest ride of its kind on either side of the Atlantic. Some of the other early exhibitions and shows that took place when Earls Court was an open arena include: The Empire of India Exhibition (1896), (VEE 1897), The Military Exhibition (1901), Paris in London Exhibition (1902), the International Fire Exhibition (1903), and Venice by Night (1904).
King of Showmen; Randall Kay Williams (1846–1898), was a popular showman who exhibited throughout Britain during the Victorian era. Starting with a small conjuring act, then a magic show, his show evolved into one of Britain's most elaborate Ghost Illusion Shows. The highlight of his career, was 1897 during which he exhibited both "Animated Photographs" and the "original Pepper's Ghost" at the VEE, in which he was heavily involved with throughout the summer.
Randall spent the entire 1897 summer season at the VEE in London, in addition, while attending the World’s Fair in January, he had taken under his wing a group of young American gymnast
Gymnast
Gymnasts are people who participate in the sports of either artistic gymnastics, trampolining, or rhythmic gymnastics.See gymnasium for the origin of the word gymnast from gymnastikos.-Female artistic:Australia...
s known as the Brothers LaFayette – a High Wire act emulating Blondin’s feats, during the summer, he acted as their agent while their performances at the VEE garnered a lot of attention and enthusiastic acclaim. “The Brothers Lafayette, the clever young gymnasts are attracting considerable attention at the Victorian Era Exhibition by their wire act. Their narrow causeway, half an inch in diameter, is stretched 12ft above the auditorium. The young Blondins march forward and backward, pass and re-pass, walk upon hands, hop on one foot, kneel, and lie at ease. For their final feat, one brother hangs head downwards while the other stands on his head upon the rope.” (Music Hall Gossip: The Era, Sept 11, 1897)
Dickens Memorial
This section of the exhibition was created by Joseph GregoJoseph Grego
Joseph Grego. was an art collector and exhibitor, author and journalist, inventor and graphics expert.-Family origins and Company Directorships:...
, who was 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. 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: VEE, foreword: “The history of Pickwick
Pickwick
Pickwick may refer to:*The Pickwick Papers, a novel by Charles Dickens, or its main character, Mr Pickwick**The Pickwick Papers , a british 1952-film**The Pickwick Papers ....
– The section undertaken by Mr. Joseph Grego is the fullest collection of Dickensiana ever gathered into one focus. There are 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 DickensCharles DickensCharles John Huffam Dickens was an English novelist, generally considered the greatest of the Victorian period. Dickens enjoyed a wider popularity and fame than had any previous author during his lifetime, and he remains popular, having been responsible for some of English literature's most iconic...
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 BeaconsfieldEarl of BeaconsfieldThe title Earl of Beaconsfield in the peerage of the United Kingdom was created in 1876 for Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli, a favourite of Queen Victoria. Victoria favoured Disraeli's Tory policies over those of his Liberal rival, William Ewart Gladstone. Disraeli had also promoted the Royal...
.) to Charles Dickens. Gadshill, November 16, 1852. Lent by James OrrockJames OrrockJames Orrock , was a prominent Scottish collector of art and oriental ceramics, illustrator and landscape watercolourist...
, 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 HoodThomas HoodThomas Hood was a British humorist and poet. His son, Tom Hood, became a well known playwright and editor.-Early life:...
The humorist, (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 MartinJames Martin-Actors, musicians, and other performers:*James Martin , saxophonist, singer, and record producer*James Martin , actor on EastEnders*James Martin , actor on Still Game...
, Esq. - 325 E. COLLECTION OF AUTOGRAPH LETTERS OF:- Charles Dickens, Douglas Jerrold, CarlisleCarlisle (surname)Carlisle is a surname, and may refer to:*Anthony Carlisle, surgeon and discover of electrolysis*Belinda Carlisle, American singer, of the Go-Go's*Bob Carlisle, American Christian singer*Clarke Carlisle, English footballer with Burnley F.C....
, Cardinal Manning, CruickshankCruickshankCruickshank is a surname and may refer to:* Adrian Cruickshank , Australian politician* Andrew Cruickshank , Scottish actor* Bobby Cruickshank , Scottish professional golfer...
, Wilkie CollinsWilkie CollinsWilliam Wilkie Collins was an English novelist, playwright, and author of short stories. He was very popular during the Victorian era and wrote 30 novels, more than 60 short stories, 14 plays, and over 100 non-fiction pieces...
, TennysonAlfred Tennyson, 1st Baron TennysonAlfred Tennyson, 1st Baron Tennyson, FRS was Poet Laureate of the United Kingdom during much of Queen Victoria's reign and remains one of the most popular poets in the English language....
, ThackerayThackerayThackeray is the name of:*William Makepeace Thackeray, a novelist*Bal Thackeray, an Indian politician*Edward Talbot Thackeray, a recipient of the Victoria Cross*A David Thackeray, a South African astronomer...
, DarwinCharles DarwinCharles Robert Darwin FRS was an English naturalist. He established that all species of life have descended over time from common ancestry, and proposed the scientific theory that this branching pattern of evolution resulted from a process that he called natural selection.He published his theory...
, Thomas HoodThomas HoodThomas Hood was a British humorist and poet. His son, Tom Hood, became a well known playwright and editor.-Early life:...
, &c., &c. Lent by Maitland Coffin. - 325F. TWO AUTOGRAPH LETTERS. The last letter written by the Duke of WellingtonDuke of WellingtonThe Dukedom of Wellington, derived from Wellington in Somerset, is a hereditary title in the senior rank of the Peerage of the United Kingdom. The first holder of the title was Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington , the noted Irish-born career British Army officer and statesman, and...
. Letter from Thomas Hood to LandseerLandseerLandseer may refer to:* Sir Edwin Henry Landseer , painter* Landseer , Thoroughbred racehorse trained in Ireland* Landseer , a black-and-white variant of the Newfoundland, named after the painter...
. Lent by Algernon GravesAlgernon GravesAlgernon Graves was a British art sales and art exhibition documenter. He created reference sources that began the modern discipline of provenance research.-Early life:...
, Esq., F.S.A.
CARLYLE RELIC
- 325G. WRITING TABLE, formerly the Property of Thomas CarlyleThomas CarlyleThomas Carlyle was a Scottish satirical writer, essayist, historian and teacher during the Victorian era.He called economics "the dismal science", wrote articles for the Edinburgh Encyclopedia, and became a controversial social commentator.Coming from a strict Calvinist family, Carlyle was...
, bequeathed by him to Sir James Fitzjames StephenJames Fitzjames StephenSir James Fitzjames Stephen, 1st Baronet was an English lawyer, judge and writer. He was created 1st Baronet Stephen by Queen Victoria.-Early life:...
, 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.
Notable exhibits
Fine Art sectionOne of the VEE exhibitors was Edward Henry Corbould
Edward Henry Corbould
Edward Henry Corbould, R.I. was born at 6, Great Coram Street, Russell Square, London, the eldest son of Henry Corbould, F.S.A. , who was the designer of the first "Penny Black" postage stamp. He was educated at the Palace School, Enfield...
RI (1815–1905), displaying "the Marquis of Waterford at the Eglinton Tournament
Eglinton Tournament of 1839
The Eglinton Tournament of 1839 was a re-enactment of a medieval joust and revel held in Scotland on Friday 30 August.It was funded and organized by Archibald Montgomerie, 13th Earl of Eglinton, and took place at Eglinton Castle, near Kilwinning in Scotland...
," dated August 31, 1839, in watercolour, signed with an artist's pallet enclosing the initials RI and dated 1894. Exhibited VEE, Earls Court, 1897, Item 209, Fine Art Section (East-wing). In 1842 Queen Victoria and the Prince Consort
Prince Albert
Prince Albert was the husband and consort of Queen Victoria.Prince Albert may also refer to:-Royalty:*Prince Albert Edward or Edward VII of the United Kingdom , son of Albert and Victoria...
visited the galleries of the Royal Institute, opposite Marlborough House, and purchased a water-colour painting by Mr. Corbould, then a young member of the Institute. Many of his works were subsequently purchased by Queen Victoria and went to Osborne House
Osborne House
Osborne House is a former royal residence in East Cowes, Isle of Wight, UK. The house was built between 1845 and 1851 for Queen Victoria and Prince Albert as a summer home and rural retreat....
and Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace, in London, is the principal residence and office of the British monarch. Located in the City of Westminster, the palace is a setting for state occasions and royal hospitality...
. Edward Henry Corbould was appointed 'Instructor in Historical Painting' to the Royal Family in 1851. He taught a number of members of the family over the following twenty-one years and many of his best works were acquired by Queen Victoria, Prince Albert and other members of the Royal family. He produced a large number of illustrations for historical, biblical, and literary subjects, including Chaucer, Spencer
Spencer
-Names:*Spencer , a surname**List of people with surname Spencer*Spencer , a given name -Australia:*Spencer, New South Wales, on the Central Coast...
and Shakespeare.
Incubators
Dr. Martin A. Couney
Martin A. Couney
Dr. Martin A. Couney a pioneer in neonatal care, and student of Dr.Pierre-Constant Budin has saved thousands of infants by an unorthodox method of putting incubators of prematurely born babies on display. While technically being a carnival show on Coney Island, NY, the treatment of babies was...
(1870-1950) a pioneer in neonatal care, and student of Dr.Pierre-Constant Budin
Pierre-Constant Budin
Pierre-Constant Budin was a French obstetrician who was a native of Enancourt-le-Sec, a village in northwestern France. In 1876 he earned his medical degree in Paris, and in 1882 became chief obstetrician at the Hôpital de la Charité. In 1895 he succeeded Étienne Stéphane Tarnier as chair of...
has saved thousands of infants by an unorthodox method of putting incubators of prematurely born babies on display. While technically being a carnival show, the treatment of babies was ethically sound and paid for itself.* Dr. Martin Couney began his career displaying premature infants in incubators at the 1896 Berlin Exposition. Couney called his Berlin display the Kinderbrutanstalt: the “child hatchery” (Silverman 1979:129) or the “baby-hatching apparatus” (Koolhaas 1994:51). Although his self-professed aim was to demonstrate scientific progress in the treatment of premature births, the display’s name took on a life of its own, becoming “celebrated in comic songs and music-hall gags in Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
even before the Exposition opened. What had begun as a sober scientific demonstration became a crowd show that outdrew the other attractions. From the beginning, Couney’s career was situated at the intersection of medical progress, sideshow spectacle, and technical enchantment. A Berlin hospital supplied premature babies to fill the incubators; because physicians expected the babies to die, Couney was not liable for the loan of life. But the Lion incubators demonstrated their proficiency in sustaining premature life through careful control of heat, Kinderbrutanstalt 5 hygiene, and alimentation, and all of the preemies survived. A representative of the 1897 Victorian Era Exhibition at Earl’s Court invited Couney and the Lion incubators to the upcoming London fair. Success at the Berlin exhibition firmly ensconced Couney’s display in the global circuit of World’s Fairs. By the end of his career, Couney had displayed in 22 expositions (Corby 1939). In 1898, he traveled to the Omaha Trans-Mississippi Exposition, back to Europe for the 1900 Paris Exposition, and once again to America for the 1901 Buffalo fair.
Memorabilia
Florence NightingaleFlorence Nightingale
Florence Nightingale
Florence Nightingale OM, RRC was a celebrated English nurse, writer and statistician. She came to prominence for her pioneering work in nursing during the Crimean War, where she tended to wounded soldiers. She was dubbed "The Lady with the Lamp" after her habit of making rounds at night...
was probably the first non-royal woman to be the object of such extraordinary adulation, says Mr Bostridge, author of "Florence Nightingale - The Woman and the Legend". But she hated the fame and thought all the things swept up in it, like the lamp and her pet owl Athena, were trivial. When in 1897 someone asked her for her portrait, to go into the trained nursing section of the Victorian Era (diamond jubilee) Exhibition at Earl's Court, she responded by saying:
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
- Dr. Martin A. Couney. New York Times
- Dr. Martin A. Couney. New York Times
- Dr. Martin A. Couney. American Heritage