eHive Object Details

Name/TitleExhibition Building, Melbourne: Interior showing Grand Organ, stage and seating in hall, c. 1880

About this objectThis photograph has been taken looking west along the west nave of the Exhibition Building towards the Organ Gallery. The stage in front of the organ has been set up ready for an orchestra.

The Exhibition Building was constructed in 1879-1880, and the organ erected in 1880, for the 1880-1 Melbourne International Exhibition.

The image shows the west nave with its wide side aisles on the ground floor and continuous galleries on the first floor. There is a banner that reads "India" to the left of the stage. There are flags "of every nation" draped from the first floor galleries.

The organ was made at the Richmond factory of Mr George Fincham, and at the time was considered to be the 20th largest organ in the world.

Part of the organ was removed in 1948, the rest in 1965.

One of the many glass slides purchased from retailers or specifically made for illustrated lectures given by Isaac Selby between c. 1930 and c. 1955 to raise money for the Old Pioneers Memorial Fund.

Selby probably showed this slide during his lecture, 'Melbourne Exhibitions', at the public library on August 10th, 1932. He gave another lecture, 'Great Exhibitions of the World - With a plea for one at the Centenary of Victoria', at Independent Hall, Collins Street, on July 5th, 1949.

For more information about this image contact Royal Historical Society of Victoria.

Measurements8.2 x 8.2 cm

Period1880-1890

Object TypeGlass slide

Subject and Association KeywordsSelby, Isaac, 1859-1956

Subject and Association KeywordsRoyal Exhibition Building (Melbourne, Vic.)

Subject and Association KeywordsInternational Exhibition (1880-1881 : Melbourne, Vic.)

Subject and Association KeywordsOrgan (Musical instrument)

Subject and Association KeywordsFincham, George, 1828-1910

Subject and Association KeywordsGeorge Fincham & Sons (Richmond, Vic.)

Subject and Association KeywordsHistoric buildings and sites

Named CollectionImages collection

Object numberGS-BCS-50

Copyright LicenceAll rights reserved