FORVM`s Classical Numismatics Discussion Board
Numismatic and History Discussion Forums => History and Archeology => Topic started by: Robert_Brenchley on October 24, 2009, 04:09:14 pm
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I'm not sure where to post this, but I was in the local public library today, where they've got some information posted about a Nelson statue in Birmingham. It was erected in 1809, after having been commissioned in 1802 after Nelson visited the city, and was the first statue of him in England. They put it in a square which had recently been created after the medieval shambles (meat market) and town cross were demolished. The exhibit included a pic of a medal showing the statue; does anyone know anything about it?
The pic shows the statue without the base, which is modern. The original was lost when it was moved in 1961.
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The medal was struck in 1809 (as one might assume) and was engraved by one of that most eminent family of British engravers, the Wyons. Specifically, Peter Wyon. The medal is No. 678 in British Historical Medals, featuring a view of the statue on the obverse and an inscription within a wreath on the reverse. 52mm diameter. I've not seen one for sale since 2008 or so, from whence I harvested the above information.
LordBest. 8)
P.S. Sorry to discover this topic so late.
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Thanks.
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Here are images of the medal.
This example, in white metal, is in the collections of the Birmingham Museums & Art Gallery (accession #188N1526.160).
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I did not know about Birmingham’s statue of Nelson. It looks splendid, what a shame it was given a modern base after it was moved. Overall I’m not a huge fan of modern architecture (give me Georgian, Victorian, Crafts Movement or Art Deco any day). I gather Robert is not much impressed with its new base either or he would have shown it. I bet even if it isn’t actually ugly it “clashes” with the Georgian bronze. Maybe some future enlightened government will use the medal as a guide for making a base more in keeping with what the Georgian inhabitants intended for the great admiral.
Best Regards,
steve
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Here's a photo of the monument in its present state. The style of the base doesn't look very different from the original shown on the medal, actually.
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Maybe so, but it has a hideous glass/steel thing behind it…
Best Regards,
Steve
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From Wikipedia:
"The Statue was moved in 1961 during the first redevelopment of the Bull Ring and the carved plinth, cannon and lanterns lost. After the recent redevelopment has been moved back to close to its original location north of the church. It stands on the high balcony between the Bullring shopping centre and the new Selfridges store."
Presumably the glass structure dwarfing the statue is the Bullring Shopping Centre.
The photo can be seen greatly enlarged at:
http://rpmedia.ask.com/ts?u=/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2d/Nelson_Statue_in_Birmingham.jpg/140px-Nelson_Statue_in_Birmingham.jpg
It will be noted that the numerous roundels seen through the glass behind Nelson say "Pizza Express." Seems rather sad.
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I find it unbelievable that the original plinth of the original Nelson statue was lost in the 1960's!
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It does seem kind of hard to lose a statue.... ::)
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If I had to hazard a guess I'd say "lost" is a euphamism for "broken beyond repair."
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You're probably right, unfortunately.