Robert Neil

[Currie]

Hello Elise,

The 1851 Exhibition catalogue has a detailed description of what looks like your Robert Neil’s exhibit on page 544, Item 91 (Section 17 - Paper, Printing, and Bookbinding).. http://books.google.com.au/books?id=m0E ... C&pg=PA544

A newspaper critic was very impressed. In The Morning Chronicle (London), Saturday, July 5, 1851, there’s an article headed, The Great Exhibition, and covering bookbinding. It includes “but we must make favourable mention of Mr. Neil’s (of Edinburgh) Bible in white vellum, as being the result of hours of industry, stolen from his rest after a hard day’s toil.”

The Standard (London), Thursday, October 16, 1851, has a list of prize winners. The part for section 17 (Jury XVII) has quite a lot of names grouped for the Council Medal, The Prize Medal, and Honourable Mentions. I can’t see him in those, but right at the end there’s:

“NOTE.—The jury desire to award the sum of 10l. each to the undermentioned workmen, as the most appropriate recognition of their skill and taste:—
Budden, E., the workman who bound an album, very elaborately ornamented, in which taste and good work are displayed.
Niel, R., for the care, industry, and perseverance displayed in binding an imperial 4to. Bible in cream morocco, under great disadvantages; the work was executed at his own home after his daily occupation, by gas-light, in the winter; and notwithstanding these difficulties, a considerable degree of excellence is attained.”

Prince Albert was the one who suggested the exhibition and was heavily involved in it’s organisation. If you want the images from the 19C newspapers you can access them from home using your NLA or SLV library cards. I’m not sure whether there’s anything else there.

Hope that’s useful,
Alan

[elise]

Hi Alan,

That's great information! Thanks for your help.

Elise