1936 EMPIRE EXIBITION MEDAL IN SOUTH AFRICA

   SA Union: Johannesburg Empire Exhibition 1936 - Medal Laidlaw: 0031 Obverse: Facade of the Government building at the exhibition flying the Union flag. In an arc above: “RYKSTENTOONSTELLING - 1936”. Below that, across: “EMPIRE / EXHIBITION”. In the exergue: “EX UNITATE VIRES.” Reverse: Ox wagon pulled by four oxen moving to the right through the veldt; man with whip and dog trotting alongside. Mountains and radiant sun in the background. Signed just above the exergue line: “E.N. (left) R.M.P (right)”. In an arc above: “JOHANNESBURG - 1886”. In the curved exergue: “EENDRAGT MAAKT MAGT” Notes: Johannesburg hosted the Empire Exhibition, held in Milner Park between September 1936 and January 1937. Milner Park (now part of the University of Witwatersrand) is the home of the annual Witwatersrand Agricultural Society Show, first opened by Paul Kruger in 1894. The exhibition coincided with the City’s Golden Anniversary. The centrepiece of the layout of gardens, buildings and pathways was the 200 feet tall “Tower of Light” which could be seen at night from anywhere on the Rand.