MEDAL, Franco British Exhibition 1908, in Case

a. On the obverse there are three allegorical female figures, one of whom is Britannia, another, with a shield marked "RF" appears to represent France. The inscription around the rim reads "LONDON MDCCCCVIII". At the base of the medal, is the designer's mark, "F. BOWCHER. F" / 1908" and near the lower rim, the maker, "VAUGHTON BIRM". There is another allegorical figure on the reverse with one arm raised and a laurel wreath near her feet. A building, probably the Exhibition Building, is to the right. Around the edge, "FRANCO BRITISH EXHIBITION"; a plaque at the base is engraved "WESTERN AUSTRALIAN / MUSEUM & ART GALLERY / ABORIGINAL RELICS". Around the lower edge "VAUGHTON BIRM RD535695" and "F. BOWCHER F. 1908". b. Green, square shaped case with a hinged lid outlined in gold and lettered "FRANCO-BRITISH / .1908. / EXHIBITION". The inside is green velvet, recessed to hold the medal and with an attached green ribbon to remove it easily from the case. The off white silk lining of the inside lid reads "P.VAUGHTON & SONS. / GOLDSMITHS AND MEDALLISTS / BIRMINGHAM". Between 1878 and 1890, as part of its effort to attract investors to the Swan River Colony, the government sent agricultural and mineral specimens - the latter borrowed from the Mechanics' Institute and the Reverend C.G. Nicolay's collection, to five intercolonial and international exhibitions. After federation, specimens continued to be sent to exhibitions, including the 1908 Franco-British Exhibition where this medal was awarded.

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