Can you provide insights into the Liberian (Liberia, West Africa)
exhibit at the International Exhibition in London, 1862.  I'm trying
to understand what was exhibited and who organized the exhibit.

Thanks - Kyraeh-ga

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Request for Question Clarification by leli-ga on 03 May 2004 01:26 PDT

Hello kyraeh

This week I'm planning to visit a library which has the Art Journal's
catalogue of the 1862 exhibition. While I'm there, I'll be glad to
take a look to see if there's any mention of Liberia. (The catalogue
may not be fully comprehensive, though it has over 300 pages.)

I see Scriptor has found you lots of good information about the
exhibition. If this has given you any further ideas about what you
might want me to look out for, do let me know.

Nice to talk to you again - and to see more of your interesting questions - Leli

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Clarification of Question by kyraeh-ga on 10 May 2004 03:22 PDT

Leli-ga

Good Morning!  I'm just now seeing your note!  Yikes!  If it's not too
late, yes, I would be interested.  Glad to hear from you -

Kyraeh-ga

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Request for Question Clarification by leli-ga on 11 May 2004 00:56 PDT

Kyraeh

No, you're not too late! I didn't get to the library as planned, and
will go this week, probably on Thursday.

Hoping there'll be something useful there - Leli

Disappointing news, I'm afraid, kyraeh.

As soon as I opened the catalogue, I realised it was going to
concentrate on the most elaborate, extravagant, decorative items at
the exhibition, giving most attention to arts and crafts from Britain
and, to a lesser extent, other European countries. Even the medals
awarded to prizewinners had a picture celebrating British supremacy:
Britannia sitting while exhibitors line up to kneel before her with
their "offerings". (I found it fascinatingly Victorian, so I enjoyed
browsing.)

The International Exhibition was divided into Fine Arts and Industrial
Arts.  Industrial Arts was the larger section, and all the exhibits
there were in one of 36 official classes, although grouped by country.
I'll list the classes below to give you a general idea, and in case
you can see any clues about what Liberia might have sent to London.

Countries south of the Mediterranean were mentioned in this catalogue
as splendid sources of raw material for English craftsmen. I saw only
two references to West Africa, both in connection with the various
woods being imported by Britain. It wasn't clear if this had any
specific connection with the exhibits, or was just a general
discussion of the qualities of different woods used by cabinet-makers.
Ebony from West Africa was particularly praised as the blackest and
best ebony available. West African barwood and camwood (Baphia nitida)
were also valued. As well as being used for woodwork, "the wood yields
a brilliant red colour, which is used for giving the red hue to
English bandana handkerchiefs". The dye was intensified with sulphur.

The official catalogue of the "industrial" exhibits might mention
Liberia. It's in the Library of Congress.

Author:        London. International Exhibition, 1862.
Title:         The illustrated catalogue of the industrial
                  department ...
Published:     [London] Printed for Her Majesty's Commissioners
                  [1862]
Description:   4 v. fronts., illus., plates (part col.) plans.
                  27 cm.
LC Call No.:   T691.F1L8
Notes:         At head of title: The International Exhibition of
                  1862.
               [I-II] British division.--III. Colonial and
                  foreign division.--IV. Foreign division.
http://lcweb.loc.gov/z3950/gateway.html#lc

Good luck with your research - Leli

The 36 classes of Industrial Arts 
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

Mineral Products
Chemical Products
Substances used for Food
Animal & Vegetable Products
Railway Plant
Carriages
Manufacturing Machines & Tools
Machinery in General
Agricultural & Horticultural Implements
Civil Engineering
Military Engineering
Naval Engineering
Philosophical Instruments
Photographic Apparatus & Photography
Horological Instruments
Musical Instruments
Surgical Implements & Appliances
Cotton
Flax & Hemp
Silk & Velvet
Woollen, Worsted & Mixed Fabrics
Carpets
Printed or Dyed Fabrics
Tapestry, Lace & Embroidery
Skins, Furs, Feathers & Hair
Heather
Clothing
Stationery, Printing & Bookbinding
Educational Works & Appliances
Furniture
Hardware
Cutlery
Jewellery & Precious Stones
Glass 
Pottery
Miscellaneous

Leli,

Many thanks for trying, though!  I'll visit the Library of Congress to
see if Liberia is mentioned in the book you suggested.  Again, thanks!