In preparation for the royal visit to Melbourne in 1887, many business premises in the streets of Melbourne decorated their shop fronts.
The Ferguson & Urie stained glass company had decorated their own Collins Street premises with an illuminated transparency on glass showing a full length portrait of Her Majesty Queen Victoria.
What’s ironic though, is that they were probably outdone in the illuminations by Scots Church near the top end of Collins Street who had decided on illuminating one of the companies earlier stained glass windows from inside.
In 1876 they had created the magnificent four light stained glass window for the Collins Street end of Scots Church at the expense of Sir Samuel Wilson and this window was illuminated from inside as part of the church’s contribution to the 1887 street decorations for the Royal visit.
References:
The Argus, Melbourne, Wednesday 22nd June 1887, page 3s.
The Argus, Melbourne, Vic, Wednesday 22nd June 1887, page 1s.
Related posts:
1867: The Royal Visit – The Illuminations and decorations throughout Melbourne.
Ferguson and Urie 