{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O312396"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O312396/"}},"images":null,"see_also":null},"record":{"systemNumber":"O312396","accessionNumber":"A.242-1980","objectType":"Medal","titles":[{"title":"Opening of Blackfriars Bridge and Holborn Viaduct","type":"generic title"}],"summaryDescription":"This silvered electrotype roundel is a cast of the reverse of a medal commemorating the opening of Blackfriars Bridge and Holborn Viaduct and is made by George Gammon Adams in 1869.\r\n\r\nThe original bridge has been built in 1760-69 and designed by Robert Mylne, was pulled down in 1864. The foundation stone of  the new bridge designed by Joseph Cubitt and H. Carr was laid by the Lord Mayor on 20 July 1867 and opened by Queen Victoria on 6 November 1869. Holborn Viaduct took six years to complete and was opened on the same occasion as Blackfriars Bridge. The viaduct, which was constructed to span the valley of the river Fleet and designed by the City surveyor, William Heywood, is reputed to have cost £2,500,000. \r\n\r\nGeorge Gammon Adams (b. 1821-1898) was a portrait sculptor and medallist. He designed and exhibited prize medals for the Great Exhibition. In 1852 he was chosen to model the death mask of Wellington. One of his public monuments is the 'Napier' statue in Trafalgar square.","physicalDescription":"Views of Holborn Viaduct above and Blackfriars bridge below within wreaths. Coat of arms in centre and flanking figures of Londinia and Britannia. Inscribed.","artistMakerPerson":[{"name":{"text":"Adams, George Gammon","id":"A3907"},"association":{"text":"medallist","id":"AAT25337"},"note":""}],"artistMakerOrganisations":[],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[],"techniques":[{"text":"casting","id":"AAT53104"}],"materialsAndTechniques":"Silvered electrotype under glass","categories":[{"text":"Coins & Medals","id":"THES48974"},{"text":"Sculpture","id":"THES48896"},{"text":"Architecture","id":"THES48993"}],"styles":[],"collectionCode":{"text":"SCP","id":"THES48600"},"images":[],"imageResolution":"high","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"022","id":"THES395537"},"free":"","case":"","shelf":"","box":""}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"Medal","id":""}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"England","id":"x28826"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"1869","earliest":"1869-01-01","latest":"1869-12-31"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"associatedObjects":[],"creditLine":"","dimensions":[{"dimension":"Diameter","value":"7.6","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""}],"dimensionsNote":"","marksAndInscriptions":[{"content":"'HOLBORN VIADUCT BLACKFRIARS BRIDGE 1869' [signed] 'G.G.ADAMS. D.SC.'","inscriber":{"name":{"text":"","id":""},"association":{"text":"","id":""}},"date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"description":"","interpretation":"","language":"","medium":"","method":"","position":"","script":"","translation":"","transliteration":"","type":"","note":""}],"objectHistory":"Given by Miss I.D. Adams, daughter of George Gammon Adams in 1980.","historicalContext":"","briefDescription":"Roundel, model for a medal, silvered electrotype, Opening of Blackfriars Bridge and Holborn Viaduct, George Gammon Adams, English, ca. 1869","bibliographicReferences":[{"reference":{"text":"","id":""},"details":"","free":"Brown, Lawrence. <u>British Historical Medals 1837-1901 - Vol II, The Reign of Queen Victoria</u>. London: 1987, cat.no. 2906"},{"reference":{"text":"","id":""},"details":"","free":"Forrer, L. <u>Biographical Dictionary of Medallists</u>, I, London, 1904, p. 23-24"}],"production":"","productionType":{"text":"","id":""},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[{"text":"","id":""},{"text":"Blackfriars Bridge","id":"x47728"},{"text":"Holborn","id":"x28905"}],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[],"contentConcepts":[],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[],"partNumbers":["A.242-1980"],"accessionNumberNum":"242","accessionNumberPrefix":"A","accessionYear":1980,"otherNumbers":[],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE"],"assets":[],"recordModificationDate":"2025-11-13","recordCreationDate":"2009-06-24","availableToBook":true}}