3-011-654 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Distribution of prizes at the Crystal Palace to the London Rifle Brigade on Saturday last, 1864. Prize-giving '...in the central transept of the Crystal Palace [in Sydenham], in the presence of a very large assembly of visitors. The Lady Mayoress, Mrs. W. S. Hale, officiated on this occasion. She occupied a chair of state in the centre of the raised dais in front of the Handel orchestra...The prizes, of the value of nearly £700, were arranged on tables right and left of the chair, and trophies and banners hung from every part of the grand orchestra...Many of the well-known shots, as they came up to receive their prizes, were loudly cheered; and when Private John Wyatt, the winner of the Queen's prize, presented himself to receive the gold medal as the best shot in the brigade, he was received with vociferous applause'. From "Illustrated London News", 1864.