FBEE, Fellowship of the British Empire Exhibition - Associate membership badge (c.1924)
The British Empire Exhibition was one of the largest cultural and trade exhibitions staged in England. The exhibition opened at Wembley on the 23rd April 1924 until the Closing Ceremony on the 1st November 1924 and attracted some 27 million paying visitors. Fifty-six countries of the Empire participated in an exhibition that cost around £12 million (a massive amount of money for 1924) and extended over an area of 216 acres (87 hectares). The exhibit structures built there were originally intended to be temporary and although most were demolished afterwards some remained to become well know landmarks. For example, the Empire Pool became the Wembley Arena and the Palace of Industry, Engineering & Arts was a reinforced concrete structure that remained in use as a storage depot until demolished in the 1970’s. The most famous of all was Wembley Stadium with its two famous landmark towers and that survived in use until 2002 when it was demolished to make way for the new Wembley Stadium.
The Fellowship of the British Empire Exhibition (FBEE) was set up in 1923 as an ancillary organisation under the auspices of the exhibition organisers. It’s not clear to me exactly what their function was, but they were active in promoting the exhibition by organising special events and competitions. For example, on the 23rd June 1924 the FBEE organised a special visit for 100 wounded war veterans to the exhibition on the 23rd June in celebration of the Prince of Wales’ birthday (future King Edward VIII). The Prince of Wales was also President of the Exhibition committee. The FBEE also organised an essay competition with a prize of 20 guineas (£21) titled “Newfoundland, her place, present and prospective in the British Commonwealth of Nations”. Incidentally, the prize was won by Wilfred Templeman (1908-1990) with Sir William Lloyd (1864-1937) acting as the final arbitrator (see references below).
This base-metal badge was issued for the FBEE’s Associate membership whereas the full membership badge was made of hallmarked silver, both being of the same size and design. Full membership to the FBEE cost 2 guineas for which they received a certificate, the silver badge and two tickets to the exhibition (see references below). Associate membership cost 5 shillings and they also received a certificate, badge along with two tickets.
The badge design depicts the ‘Herrick’ Lion which was the official emblem of the 1924 exhibition and appeared on much of the souvenir merchandise produced for the event. This emblem was designed by Frederick Charles Herrick (also known as F C Herrick, 1887-1970) who was a prolific poster designer and illustrator. The beehive and bees symbolise industry.
I have been kindly informed by Peter Marrow that a gold version of the above badge exists that may have been a presentation piece. I’ve seen pictures of the badge and the gold hallmarks confirms the same maker (Goldsmiths and Silversmiths Co Ltd of London), letter Y for 1923 and .625 gold (15 carat). Peter has also informed me that the badge belonged to a Bishop James Bartholomew Banks. I checked out J B Banks and it seems he had inherited a considerable wealth with which it is possible he may have been a major benefactor to the British Empire Exhibition funds. However, if anyone can provide corroborative evidence that confirms J B Banks’ connection with the FBEE, that would be of some importance.
.
References:
www.20thcenturylondon.org.uk/server.php?show=conObject.80... (FBEE certificate from the Brent Museum, opened March 2006).
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Empire_Exhibition (British Empire Exhibition 1924/1925).
www.rsc.ca/documents/TemplemanWilfredElectedin19501908199... (Biography of Wilfred Templeton).
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_F._Lloyd (Sir William Lloyd).
arts.brighton.ac.uk/faculty-of-arts-brighton/alumni-and-a... (F C Herrick biographical note, designer of the official Lion emblem).
.
Enamels: 1 (black).
Finish: nickel or tin plated.
Material: Brass.
Fixer: Pin.
Size: 1” in diameter (about 25mm)
Process: Die stamped.
Maker: Goldsmiths and Silversmiths Co Ltd, 112 Regent St, W1. This company produced both Associate and Full Membership badges.
.
Thank you for reading.
Stuart.
FBEE, Fellowship of the British Empire Exhibition - Associate membership badge (c.1924)
The British Empire Exhibition was one of the largest cultural and trade exhibitions staged in England. The exhibition opened at Wembley on the 23rd April 1924 until the Closing Ceremony on the 1st November 1924 and attracted some 27 million paying visitors. Fifty-six countries of the Empire participated in an exhibition that cost around £12 million (a massive amount of money for 1924) and extended over an area of 216 acres (87 hectares). The exhibit structures built there were originally intended to be temporary and although most were demolished afterwards some remained to become well know landmarks. For example, the Empire Pool became the Wembley Arena and the Palace of Industry, Engineering & Arts was a reinforced concrete structure that remained in use as a storage depot until demolished in the 1970’s. The most famous of all was Wembley Stadium with its two famous landmark towers and that survived in use until 2002 when it was demolished to make way for the new Wembley Stadium.
The Fellowship of the British Empire Exhibition (FBEE) was set up in 1923 as an ancillary organisation under the auspices of the exhibition organisers. It’s not clear to me exactly what their function was, but they were active in promoting the exhibition by organising special events and competitions. For example, on the 23rd June 1924 the FBEE organised a special visit for 100 wounded war veterans to the exhibition on the 23rd June in celebration of the Prince of Wales’ birthday (future King Edward VIII). The Prince of Wales was also President of the Exhibition committee. The FBEE also organised an essay competition with a prize of 20 guineas (£21) titled “Newfoundland, her place, present and prospective in the British Commonwealth of Nations”. Incidentally, the prize was won by Wilfred Templeman (1908-1990) with Sir William Lloyd (1864-1937) acting as the final arbitrator (see references below).
This base-metal badge was issued for the FBEE’s Associate membership whereas the full membership badge was made of hallmarked silver, both being of the same size and design. Full membership to the FBEE cost 2 guineas for which they received a certificate, the silver badge and two tickets to the exhibition (see references below). Associate membership cost 5 shillings and they also received a certificate, badge along with two tickets.
The badge design depicts the ‘Herrick’ Lion which was the official emblem of the 1924 exhibition and appeared on much of the souvenir merchandise produced for the event. This emblem was designed by Frederick Charles Herrick (also known as F C Herrick, 1887-1970) who was a prolific poster designer and illustrator. The beehive and bees symbolise industry.
I have been kindly informed by Peter Marrow that a gold version of the above badge exists that may have been a presentation piece. I’ve seen pictures of the badge and the gold hallmarks confirms the same maker (Goldsmiths and Silversmiths Co Ltd of London), letter Y for 1923 and .625 gold (15 carat). Peter has also informed me that the badge belonged to a Bishop James Bartholomew Banks. I checked out J B Banks and it seems he had inherited a considerable wealth with which it is possible he may have been a major benefactor to the British Empire Exhibition funds. However, if anyone can provide corroborative evidence that confirms J B Banks’ connection with the FBEE, that would be of some importance.
.
References:
www.20thcenturylondon.org.uk/server.php?show=conObject.80... (FBEE certificate from the Brent Museum, opened March 2006).
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Empire_Exhibition (British Empire Exhibition 1924/1925).
www.rsc.ca/documents/TemplemanWilfredElectedin19501908199... (Biography of Wilfred Templeton).
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_F._Lloyd (Sir William Lloyd).
arts.brighton.ac.uk/faculty-of-arts-brighton/alumni-and-a... (F C Herrick biographical note, designer of the official Lion emblem).
.
Enamels: 1 (black).
Finish: nickel or tin plated.
Material: Brass.
Fixer: Pin.
Size: 1” in diameter (about 25mm)
Process: Die stamped.
Maker: Goldsmiths and Silversmiths Co Ltd, 112 Regent St, W1. This company produced both Associate and Full Membership badges.
.
Thank you for reading.
Stuart.