1897 Brussels International Exhibition

Due to its prosperity, Belgium wished to prove it could compete with the big powers economically. Belgium then exported one third of its production, more than either France or UK. This placed it fifth among world powers in terms of commerce.

Ori ginally there was some concern that this exhibition, preceding the 1900 one in Paris, may not succeed. Construction was delayed by torrential rains, which postponed the opening from 24 April to 10 May. During the first few weeks, the fountains did not have circulating water, nor was the electric lighting completed.

Located in the pare du Centenaire, there was also a colonial affairs exhibition at Terveuren in the Museum of African Art. Although there was little significant architecture at this exhibition, a 1 reconstruction of an old Brussels quarter called Brussels-Kermesse, surrounded by a 4 h century wall and with a Renaissance entry gate, attracted much interest. This project, designed by Pau l Saintenoy, was inspired by Ghent and Audenarde city halls. The belfry of the carillon tower (4m dia x 37 m tall) was the finest piece of architecture in the exhibition.

Three famous Brussels statues were reproduced; Manneken-pis, Le Cracheur (the spitter) and Les Trois Pucelles (three virgins). At night, the lighting provided a clear view of the luminous Fountain of Chimeras by Van der Stapen.

The jewel of the Exhibition, according to the government was the array of French exhibits, which 2 2 spread over 1S ,000 m . That from the UK covered 6,SOO m . For the first time at such an exhibition, mathematics and natural sciences were organised into an autonomous international section.

The exhibition closed on 8 November. During the 6 months it was open, 6 million visitors passed through, double that of Antwerp 3 years earlier. Nothing is known of the cost or financial success, but in terms of numbers, it was certainly not a flop.

On 18 October 1896, two stamps were issued advertising the Exhibition. The 10c brown was changed to pale brown-ochre on 11 Jan 1897. Gerard Portieltije designed the Sc and Alfred Van Neste the 1Oc stamp. Eugene-Louis Mouchon engraved the copper master die. They were typographically printed by I' Atelier du Timbre at Malines and perforated by them using a new machine, P14. They were printed in sheets of 2S stamps (5 x S). Quantities printed were 6,406,800 (Sc), 1,840,000 (1 Oc pale ochre-brown) and S,493,000 (1 Oc brown). All were demonetised 1 July 1898.

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Triple weight letter from Brussels to Stockholm Brussels (Midi) eds dated 22 February 1897 Stockholm N.Ankeo arrival eds dated 25 Feb 97 (verso)

Postage 75e (40 < wt~ 60 gm)

Verso showing two advertising labels for the exhibition

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1897 Brussels 2.pub letter from Brussels to Melbourne Brussels (Chancellerle) eds dated 16 June 1898 (6-7 pm) CamberwellNictoria arrival eds dated 26 Jul 98 (verso)

Postage 25c (S 20 gm)

Notes 1. These stamps were demonetised 1 July 1898, some two weeks after despatch & before delivery. 2. The Dominica! labels for Sunday delivery only applied within Belgium. 3. To achieve under 6 weeks delivery, letter would have gone by train to Brindisi or Marseille.

1897 Brussels 2a.pub •

Original 1897 fully gummed MUH sheet of 25 stamps - brown

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Letter from Neerpelt to Verviers with 1Oc pale brown-<>ehre stamp Neerpelt eds dated 7 Apr 1897 (2 pm) Verviers (Station) arrival eds dated 7 Apr 1897 midnight (verso)

Postage 10c (S 20 gm)

Verso

4 is postman's round number

Despite the two dominical labels, this letter travelled on a Wednesday and would have been delivered Thursday.

1897 Brussels 2c.pub Registered letter from Brussels to Lund Bruxelles (R. Chancellerle) eds dated 6 Dec 1897

Rue Chancellerie registration label 10% gm ms notation for weight

Postage 25c (s 15 gm) Registration 25c

A strip of 4 brown stamps makes 40c of the total While 2 separate blue stamps add the balance

Despite being registered, the letter lacks arrival back stamps

1897 Brussels 2d.pub Three different types of labels were printed for the exhibition. Two were for the general Exhibition and one for the Museum of Art at Terveuren.

The most common featured arts, sciences, industry and commerce. It was litho printed by J-E Goossens of Brussels in sheets of 25 stamps (5 x 5) in colours as shown below.

bistre olive-bistre gold vermilion

deep dull green shades

Prussian blue yellow-orange

1897 Brussels 3.pub (/) J ~ Ill ~ J ... 0 .... Al-~~ _. o '< :J 0 0 cc :J S. en !!!. >< ....c en o ~ 0 :J

. . Top row of two sheets showing width

vermilion and olive-bistre The second of the three types was designed by Willem Betaille & lithographed by Gouweloos Brothers in Brussels. P11 Yz. It depicts a classical goddess announcing the exhibition and alongside her a blacksmith. Colours are both plain and compound, while those at the bottom have silver flecks and gold

1897 Brussels 4.pub The third type was produced for use at Terveuren and notes the various attractions and amusements there. The designer's name, Privat Livermonte, is shown below the lady. Again lithographed by Gouweloos Brothers (p11%) in Brussels. Printed on four tinted and white papers.

1897 Brussels 5.pub Old Brussels Section Rare German participant's label of the Exhibition (rare) Schuchardt and SchOtte, Berlin C

1897 Brussels Sa.pub Souvenir of the International Exhibition

CARTE POST ALE POSTKAART

(Cote reserve a l'adresse. -· Zijde voor '"' adrts allem.)

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Officially printed card from Tervueren to Berlin

Tervueren eds of 15 July 1897 & Berlin 14 arrival eds of 16 July

1897 Brussels 6.pub Souvenir of the International Exhibition

CARTE POSTALE POSTKAART

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Officially printed card from Brussels to Chimay Brussels 5 eds of 26 Aug 1897 & Chlmay arrival eds of 27 Aug 5c internal postage

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The Old Brussels Quarter

CARTE POSTALE POSTKAART

(Cote reserve a l'adresse. - Zijde 11on1· ltet ad,.es al/cert.)

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Offlclally printed card from Malderen to Schmledeberg (Germany) Malderen eds (illegible) & Schmledeberg arrival 16 Sep 1Oc external postage

1897 Brussels 8.pub ..

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The Old Brussels Quarter

CAR TE POSTALE POSTKAART

(Cote reserve a l'adrcsse. - Zijde 1•001· lzet (ldres (ll/ee11 .)

Officially printed card from Bru88els to Holland Brussels Expo eds of 5 Jun (Sat) & Arnhem arrival 6 Jun (Sun) Stamp with label detached inferred Sunday delivery. In Holland delivery would have been Monday.

1897 Brussels 9.pub