Edward Gerrard & Sons Awards at Victorian World Expos

Victorian World Expos: Gold Medals for Edward Gerrard & Sons between 1883 - 1904

Victorian World Expos and The global Exhibitions Craze

The Victorian World Expos took place during the peak of British taxidermy between the years from 1880 until 1914.

The world and international Expos during this specific period lifted taxidermy and natural history to meet its hey-day including the exhibitions of Paris 1878, Sydney 1879, Melbourne 1880, Paris and Rouen 1881 and
Antwerp 1885.

But it was The Great Exhibition (1851) in London, the Colonial and Indian Exhibition (1886) in London, and the Empire of India Exhibition (1895) in London that formed the backbone of the Victorian exhibition craze in Britain.

Edward Gerrard & Sons win their first medal in 1883, but it was the Gold Medal at the International Expo in Brussels 1897 that crowned them

1897: By the time the Edward Gerrard & Sons won its first Gold Medal at the International Expo in Brussels Edward Gerrard Senior had been retired from his main role at the British Museum for a year.

Winning their first Gold Medal in Brussels must surely have been one of the highlights of Edward Gerrard Senior’s life. There were 27 participating countries at the Brussels Expo, and an estimated attendance of 7.8 million people.

Edward Gerrard & Sons are on display worldwide during the pinnacle of their business

Edward Gerrard & Sons were riding the cusp of the wave when they were present at some of these world expos up until the first world war, and this period is historically considered the peak of their business.

Over the course of their history Edward Gerrard & Sons attended, exhibited and won medals at:

1883: Calcutta International Exhibition – medal awarded
1886: Colonial and Indian exhibition of London – medal awarded
1887: International exhibition of Adelaide – medal awarded
1891: French exhibition of Moscow – medal awarded
1897: Intl expo in Brussels: Gold Medal awarded
1900: Universal Exhibition in Paris:
1904: St Louis World Fair:
1907: International exhibition in Dublin
1908: Franco-British exhibition of London
1910: Universal Exhibition in Brussels
1911: Imperial exhibition in London/Festival of Empire
1913: Universal Exhibition in Ghent

1883 – Calcutta International Exhibition

Medal awarded

This was Gerrard’s first major overseas exhibition appearance.
It helped them to create their early expansion into the Indian market, to supply high‑quality taxidermy to colonial institutions, and built their growing reputation beyond Britain

1886 – Colonial and Indian Exhibition, London

Medal awarded

This is the most important of their early appearances.

Gerrard exhibited multiple cases of birds and mammals. They mounted Argus pheasants and other fine birds for the Straits Settlements. They produced a major case of birds and mammals for Western Australia

Howard Saunders (in The Ibis, 1886) explicitly notes:

“Western Australia exhibits a fine case of birds and mammals, mounted by Mr. E. Gerrard, jun.”

This exhibition cemented Gerrard’s reputation as a museum‑grade taxidermy firm.

1887 – International Exhibition, Adelaide

Medal awarded

This was part of the Australian colonial exhibition circuit.
Gerrard’s presence shows their strong commercial ties with Australian museums, their ability to supply specimens to distant colonies and their growing international distribution network

1891 – French Exhibition, Moscow

Medal awarded

This was a period when European museums were rapidly expanding their natural‑history collections. This unusual event (a French‑organised exhibition held in Moscow) indicates Gerrard’s expansion into continental Europe, and their recognition by French and Russian scientific circles

1897 – International Exhibition, Brussels

Gold Medal awarded

This is one of Gerrard’s most prestigious awards. Brussels exhibitions were known for rigorous judging, strong competition from European taxidermists, and emphasis on scientific accuracy.

A Gold Medal here placed Gerrard among the top natural‑history preparators in Europe.

Further Exhibitions for Gerrard & Sons

1907 – Irish International Exhibition, Dublin

This exhibition focused on arts, industry, natural history and the colonial trade, and Gerrard’s presence indicates continued UK‑wide visibility.

1908 – Franco‑British Exhibition, London

This was a major diplomatic exhibition celebrating Anglo‑French cooperation.

Gerrard’s participation shows their alignment with national prestige events and their ongoing relevance in London’s exhibition culture

1910 – International Exhibition, Brussels

Returning to Brussels shows that Gerrard’s sustained European recognition and had continued demand for their work in Belgium

1911 – Imperial Exhibition, London

This was a major imperial propaganda event. Gerrard’s presence here shows their continued role in representing colonial fauna, and their integration into Britain’s imperial display apparatus

1913 – Universal Exhibition, Ghent

This was one of the last major pre‑war exhibitions. Gerrard’s presence shows their longevity and their continued international relevance right up to WWI

Edward Gerrard & Sons at The Colonial Indian Exhibition

Extract of a review from THE ILLUSTRATED LONDON NEWS SEPT. 18, 1886
THE COLONIAL AND INDIAN EXHIBITION: WESTERN AUSTRALIA.

“Altogether this artistically devised group reflects the greatest credit on the
rare skill of Mr, Edward Gerrard…..

Some of the triumphs of Mr. Edward Gerrard’s art are sketched among our illustrations. One is the diamond snake strangling a large goat-sucker of the genus Podargas. It will be noted that it has killed the bird, and is about to swallow its victim. Observe on the same side of this valuable case a couple of very peculiar little ” devil lizards,” curiously coloured with yellow and brownish markings. Just above them are two uncommon mouse-like animals, called “Tait” and “ Noolbenga” by the natives”