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Feature of the month - May 2013

Opening of the New Premises

21 May 1912 saw the opening by King George V and Queen Mary of the Royal Society of Medicine’s new house at No.1 Wimpole Street.

Last year to mark the centenary of this event, a library exhibition entitled 100 Years at Number 1 included a display of architects' plans, tickets and invitations to the 1912 opening, newspaper cuttings, photographs, letters, the story of how the RSM acquired its prestigious address, material relating to the evening of entertainment held the day after the official opening, and the pen with which the King signed his name when borrowing the first book to be loaned by the new Library.

Recently come to light, however, and not shown in the centenary exhibition, is this souvenir of the occasion in the form of an illustrated commemorative item (possibly a table napkin?) made of thin tissue paper and, fortunately, preserved in the Society’s archive.

Two earlier features of the month from this web-page concerning our 100 Years at Number 1 can be seen here:

 

Previous features of the month:

April 2013 - John Snow

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