3-017-237 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Working Men's Industrial Exhibition at Bingley Hall, Birmingham, 1865. Bingley Hall was the first purpose-built exhibition hall in Britain. 'The articles displayed are of a miscellaneous character. The staples of the local industry of course figure prominently; in stamping there are one or two wonderful specimens; of mechanism there is a great variety; of iron manufacture, furniture, saddlery, brassfoundry, jewellery, papier-maché wares, carving and gilding, there is a good display. There are numerous models in which much of skill and clever workmanship is displayed; one of these represents a church which is said to be composed of more than 4000 separate pieces of wood. The contributions from feminine fingers are numerous and varied; and, although of less worth, but not perhaps the least curious feature of the exhibition, is a quantity of "original poetry" sent in to compete for the prize ode to be set to music and performed at this inauguration; "a play"; and some compositions in music. This exhibition is in every respect most creditable, and, like all others of its kind, contains much that is instructive as well as useful'. From "Illustrated London News", 1865.