1901 Great Exhibition Glasgow

[curiousgeorge1]

I have a design drawing for a key. I have a photo of it but I am struggling to attach it ( I have tried reducing the pixels 😬 )

I have seen reports of a Golden Key being used by the Duchess of Fife to open the exhibition.

I have the record of this in the Glasgow Herald 3rd May 1901, 1st column, second page, arrival at Grand Entrance. Description doesn't seem to fit my key.

I have contacted the Kelvingrove Gallery and the Mitchell library but neither have any further knowledge of a key. Some documents do refer to it.

The Glasgow Herald states that the key used was a working key made by Chubb but does not name the designer.

Now I am stuck. The drawing I have was by a jewellery designer in the family. Perhaps it was a homage to the exhibition, not the actual key.

Any thoughts?

[RJ_Paton]

Perhaps it was a submission in some competition to select a design to be used for the actual key

[curiousgeorge1]

That thought did cross my mind

[bleckie]

Hi

It may have been given to the Duchess of Fife as a memento of her opening the exhibition the same as happened when the King and Queen opened Perth Royal Infirmary in 1914, the key used then has disappeared as well when I was doing work on the centenary I contacted the Royal archives but they couldn't find it either the last photo I saw the then provost of Perth looks to have it or something similar in his hand.
That key was made by a jeweller as well.

Yours Aye
BruceL

[curiousgeorge1]

Thanks for this.

[doddsie4]

     A Golden Key was given to the Duchess of Fife at the opening of the Art Galleries on 2nd May 1901.     She used it at The Grand Entrance to The New Art Gallery, and afterwards she was driven (coach & horses) to the City Hall, where she was made a free burgess.      The opening of the Art Galleries was a major part of the Glasgow Exhibition.

     If you google, "Golden Key, given to the Duchess of Fife" there is a lot of information, with some pictures.

     I didn't know anything about this.      Interesting, as I live in Glasgow.     

[curiousgeorge1]

  I've visited Kelvingrove Art Gallery many times, sometimes on a school trip, and I didn't know this either.

I've read a report in the Glasgow Herald but the description doesn't really match my drawing. Perhaps as someone said it was a design suggestion.

[bleckie]

Hi All

Below is a link to the one I found while researching the centenary of Perth Royal Infirmary.

http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=676673.msg5214295#msg5214295

Yours Aye
BruceL

[curiousgeorge1]

Clearly ceremonial keys were the order of the day

Thanks