Worldfairs Forum - Expositions Universelles et Spécialisées

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King Edward’s interest in the World’s Fair was clearly shown when he authorized the exhibition of the Jubilee presents of his lamented mother. Among them are a silver casket from the Island of Trinidad; a basket of satin wood, highly decorated with gold flowers, from Jamaica; a tiger skull from India, mounted in gold; a hanging lamp in chased bronze, from one of the small states of India; two huge ivory tusks set as vases and decorated in gold, supported by two elephants’ heads in black ebony and having between them an image of Lukshire, the Goddess of Prosperity, from the Maharajah of Travancore. The collection is valued at over 85.000,000, and was sent over under a strong guard of English detectives, who will remain on guard during the Exposition. These treasures are displayed to the public in the Hall of Congresses, and form one of the most interesting features of the Exposition.

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All during the period of the World’s Fair a stream of visitors has found its way to the long. large room in the Hall of Congresses where the jubilee gifts of Queen Victoria from her loyal subjects have been on display. They have been the means of teaching history and geography to thousands who might otherwise have had but a vague idea of the vastness of the British Empire. The accompanying view serves to show the manner of installation rather than to convey any idea of the richness and beauty of the gifts themselves. The jewels and other rare articles were given to the late Queen upon the celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of her accession to the throne of the British Empire, and represent the finest workmanship of the many parts of the world in which British Colonies have been established and developed. The first three cases on the left and two on the right contain saddles and trappings presented to King Edward, the Queen’s gifts occupying those beyond. The gifts embrace a number of beautiful caskets containing addresses from her subjects, round cases containing other parchment addresses, vases and ornaments of many kinds in gold, silver, ivory and jewels.

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This building, the place of the International Congresses, is the Library Building of Washington University. It is built of Missouri pink granite, trimmed with Bedford limestone. It is 2,58 by 144 feet in size, and cost 5250,000 to construct. The style of architecture is Tudor-Gothic. The main entrance is decorated with elaborate carvings. Here scientists and scholars from all over the world will meet during the Exposition.