Exhibition Souvenirs

The Goss and Crested China Club has a magnificent collection of crested china souvenirs from various exhibitions staged in the early years of the 20th century, including pieces from the British Empire Exhibition at Wembley 1924-1925, the Franco-British Exhibition of 1908 and the Latin-British Exhibition at Great White City in 1912.

All items are available for sale individually, with prices starting at just Ł10.00. Please ask for further details if you are interested - a worldwide postal service is available.

`Email info@gosschinaclub.co.uk`

The British Empire Exhibition Wembley 1924-1925

W H Goss British Empire Exhibition decoration

The British Empire Exhibition was staged at Wembley in 1924 in the hope that it would encourage trade and patriotism. Not least, the construction of the exhibition gave employment to many ex-servicemen, who having 'done their bit' for their country in the First World War had returned home only to face unemployment.

Each colony of the Empire was represented by its own building. In addition there were palaces of Engineering, Industry and Arts, and the H M Government Building. The cost of all this was borne by the government and public subscription. The general response to the exhibition was disappointing and in 1925 the scheme was put into liquidation.

The official guide proclaimed it to be 'A family party of the British Empire - the First Family Party since the Great War, when the whole world opened its astonished eyes to see that an Empire with a hundred languages and races had but one soul and mind'.

The crested china mementos of that great event represent an era that was rapidly coming to an end as more and more dominions began to seek their independence.

Pictured above right is a 120mm Goss Model of a Cirencester Roman Urn, with The British Empire Exhibition Decoration, priced at Ł65.

The Arcadian factory chose to use a decoration depicting Brittania surrounded by flags. This figure, representing Britain as Ruler of the Seas, was first used on copper pennies in 1665, and was modelled on Frances Stuart, later Duchess of Richmond.

A Lucky Black Cat Transfer From Wembley on a Florentine Carboy, 75mm high, Value £20.00.

The Carlton factory used the Wembley Lion on their British Empire Exhibition Souvenirs.

Grafton Pin Trays, depicting The Nigeria and East African Buildings at The British Empire Exhibition 1924, retail value Ł29.50.

A Grafton 73mm Pin Tray with The Franco-British Decoration, 1908, available for £18.50.

An 80mm Grafton Pin Tray with The Latin-British Decoration,Great White City, 1912, priced at Ł29.50.