Public Monument and Sculpture Association National Recording Project
Monument to John Elder Photograph
Region ID | GW | |
Work ID | 276 | |
Manual Reference | GO/005 | |
Title | Monument to John Elder | |
Sculptor | Boehm, Joseph Edgar | |
Foundry | Thames Ditton | |
Builder | A. MacDonald & Co. Ltd | |
Date of design | 1883-88 | |
Year of unveiling | c.1888 | |
Unveiling details | Unveiled 28 July 1888 | |
Road | Govan Road | |
Precise Location | Elder Park, on east side of park between Govan Road and the Elder Library | |
A to Z Ref | 33 K12 | |
OS Ref | ||
Postcode | G51 | |
Work is | Extant | |
Listing Status | II* | |
Duty of Care | Glasgow City Council | |
Commissioned by | John Elder Memorial Committee | |
Notes | ||
Standing, portrait statue of John Elder, his left hand resting on a compound engine, on a square pink granite pedestal with recessed inscription panels | ||
The movement for the erection of a memorial of John Elder originated in 1883 amongst the workmen of Messrs John Elder & Co., Fairfield. A committee was appointed and subscriptions raised. A severe depression of trade delayed the movement for a few years, but in May 1887 it was agreed that Boehm be commissioned to execute a statue for 2,000 guineas. Boehm worked from photographs and an existing portrait bust by the American sculptor Hiram Powers for the likeness and shows Elder (on the insistence of the Memorial Committee) with his engineering innovation the compound engine. The foundation stone of the pedestal, which has a sealed glass jar containing portraits of Elder, his wife and father and other historical memorabilia placed within its cavity, was laid on 21 April 1888 by ex-Provost Campbell. The statue was unveiled on 28 July 1888 by the Marquis of Lothian. Boehm was present | ||
John Elder (1824-69) was the son of David Elder, "the father of marine engineering on the Clyde", and went on to make several contributions of his own, including the surface condenser. In 1864 he established the Fairfield Shipyard, which became the largest shipbuilding complex in the world. After his death the business was taken over by his wife and brother. | ||
circa | c. | |
raw year | 1888 | |
Condition | Good | |
At risk | At Risk | |
Inscriptions | In incised Roman lettering, on west face of pedestal: JOHN ELDER / ENGINEER AND SHIPBUILDER / BORN AT GLASGOW 8 MARCH 1824 / DIED 17 SEPTEMBER 1869 North face: TO COMMEMORATE / THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF HIS GENIUS, / AND / IN GRATEFUL ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF HIS SERVICES / TO THE COMMUNITY AMONG WHOM HE LIVED / THIS STATUE / WAS ERECTED BY PUBLIC SUBSCRIPTION / JULY 1888 | |
Signatures | On north side of statue plinth: J. E. BOEHM. FECIT In incised Roman lettering, on pedestal plinth, east face, south corner: A. MACDONALD & CO. LTD / ABERDEEN & 373 BUSTON (?) ROAD | |
Elements
Element Details
Part of work | Material | Dimensions |
|---|---|---|
Statue | Bronze | 305cm high |
Pedestal | Pink granite | 366cm high; 274cm sq. at base |
Assessment of Condition
Surface Character
Detail | Comment |
|---|---|
Previous treatments | Statue has been painted brown |
Bird guano | Guano on head |
Structural Condition
Structural Condition | Comment |
|---|---|
None | |
Vandalism
Vandalism | Comment |
|---|---|
Graffiti | Inking on all faces of pedestal and statue |
