Lot 663

Description

Intercolonial Exhibition, Victoria, 1866-67, in gilded bronze (220mm), uniface electrotype by C.Summers, special presentation award inscribed in exergue, 'Presented/To The/Honble S.H.Bindon. M.P. Commissioner.', mounted in a wooden frame with glass cover. Some age spotting and hairlines, otherwise extremely fine and scarce, possibly unique.

This is a scarce variety of the medallion in that it is gilded and also in the naming area in the exergue it is engraved on a plain surface whereas the bronze award medallions have the words, 'Medal Awarded To' die struck in relief above a recessed panel in this area and the recipient's name is die struck in relief inside the panel. The artist, Charles Summers, kept a gilt version of the medal but the bottom legend is slightly different and the top lettering is primitive.

Samuel Henry Bindon, as well as being the moving force behind the 1866-67 Intercolonial Exhibition at Melbourne, was also a Member of Parliament in the State of Victoria, the Minister of Justice in 1866, Chief Judge of Gippsland in 1869, appointed to the Chair of the Technological Commission in 1869 and in 1879 head of the Royal Commission for Penal and Prison Reform. He died on 1 August 1879.

With extensive research.