| Main Performers | HM Queen Alexandra - speaker,
Clara Butt - vocal,
Mr H L Balfour,
Mr Hollins - organ |
| Orchestra or Band | HM First Regiment of Life Guards |
| Set List | Opening of the Bazaar (Queen Alexandra),
'God Save the King' (National Anthem) (Organ, Clara Butt, audience on last verse),
Selection (HM First Regiment of Life Guards)
Organ Recital (Mr H L Balfour, Mr Hollins)
15:30 Afternoon Mannequin Parade ('dresses by all the leading costumier of the day')
17:00 Auction Sale
Art Exhibition: The Chelsea Art Union [in the Gallery] |
| Royal Presence | HM Queen Alexandra,
HRH Princess Victoria,
HRH Princess Maud,
HRH Princess Louise (Duchess of Argyle),
HRH Princess Christian,
HRH Princess Beatrice, Princess Henry of Battenberg,
HRH Princess Alexander of Teck,
HRH Princess Marie Louise of Schleswig-Holstein |
| Performance Notes | A British Pathe film of the event (Film ID 1874.45) is available (duration 1min 46 secs).
"Queen Alexandra opened yesterday afternoon at the Albert Hall what is probably the most magnificent bazaar that has been held in living memory. St Dunstan's Hostel for men of both services blinded in the war, in aid of which the bazaar is being held, stands as regards war charities in a class apart, and the splendid record of the work done there under Sir Arthur Pearson's guidance has aroused public sympathy and stirred public imagination. Queen Alexandra, who was received by Sir Arthur and Lady Pearson, wore black and silver and steel paillettes, and was accompanied by Princess Victoria, wearing mole panne, and found herself on a platform of distinguished stallholders, among whom were several members of the Royal Family - Princess Maud, who was wearing white fox furs, Princess Louise (Duchess of Argyll), Princess Christian, Princess Beatrice, and Princess Alexander of Teck, who had a grey Russian toque with her grey coat and skirt. Sir Arthur Pearson said Queen Alexandra, the Patroness of St. Dunstan's commanded him to express her sincere hope that the bazaar would attain a degree of success worthy of its object. The sum realized would be devoted to the fund being built up to secure the permanent welfare of the blinded soldiers and sailors at St. Dunstan's. The after-care system which the bazaar was designed to benefit would smooth away the difficulties which beset the blind home-worker by providing raw materials, supervising work, marketing goods, and in many other ways assisting to overcome the handicap entailed by loss of sight.
In opening the bazaar Queen Alexandra said:- "It give me the greatest pleasure to open this wonderful bazaar, and I thank you with all my heart for what you have done for the blinded soldiers. Nobody else could have accomplished it". Mme. Clara Butt then sang the National Anthem, the vast audience joining in the last verse - none more heartily than the blinded men from St. Dunstan's, who were accompanied by their nurses and occupied seats in the boxes. Queen Alexandra, who had accepted a bouquet of her favourite Malmasions, then left the platform and made a tour of the stall, taking Sir Arthur Pearson's arm. At the St. Dunstan's stall she gave some orders for work, and expressed great admiration of the men's skill. Afterwards during her tour of the hall, which took about an hour and a half, as she bought at almost every stall, she accepted a silk bag which had been made for her by a blinded soldier and which he had asked the Duchess of Sunderland if he might present at her stall. At the Countess of Londesborough's stall she purchased a pipe for Sir Arthur Pearson; and from the Duchess of Wellington, who had a wonderful collection of antiques, a picture, presented by Lord Weardale, of a 17th century interior.
Businesslike Proceeding
All the stallholders and their assistants were at their posts and worked hard all day, but there was practically none of the usual insistence on selling to all and sundry, as the goods, displayed in the most businesslike manner, sold themselves, and very large sums of money changed hands. Princess Victoria solds fans and lace and was assisted by Lady Haig, and Lady Keppel; Princess Christian was busy with umbrellas, which found a ready sale' Princess Alexander of Teck was to be seen explaining the advantages of the 'jumper' sport coat at her well-stocked stall; Princess Beatrice, who had Lady Howard de Walden and others helping her, had charming children's frocks and sold one to Queen Alexandra. The Duchess of Argyil was selling many charming bits of jewelry and had for sale her own little inlaid desk which she used when a child. Princess Marie Louise of Schleswig-Hostein was in charge of the books and notepaper stall and was assisted by Mrs Saxon Mills and others
The Lord Chief's Hat
The Duchess of Portland was selling groceries; the Duchess of Somerset had Egyptian curios and a remarkable collection of butterflies. The Duchess of Rutland had some of her own drawings at her stall. The Duchess of Sutherland, who had Lady Rocksavage and Mlle. de Bittencourt among her assistants, was selling hats. The Countess of Sefton had her assistants dressed as dairymaids, and they were selling country produce. The Marchioness of Bute found many customers for her well-cut waterproofs and dressing-gowns. Viscountess Reading was explaining that some of her bridge-bags were made from the Lord Chief Justice's old top-hats. Millicent Duchess of Sutherland had the Australian stall and was selling tickets for the diamond tiara presented by an Australian lady. The Marchioness of Londonderry in a much-admired gardening bib had beautiful cut flowers and ports at her stall. Countess Torby had Lady Sarah Wilson and Lady Victoria Primrose helping her. Mrs Lloyd George and her daughter Olwen found ready sale for their dolls and toys. Lady French, Lady Jellicoe, and Lady Robertson were all busy at their respective stalls selling comforts and necessaries for soldiers and sailors. The Countess of Darnley had among her stock two views painted in Scotland by herself. The Countess of Clancarty was selling cigarettes and tobacco, and Queen Alexandra, who made many tobacco purchases, chose some ashtrays at her stall.
The mannequin dress parade, with charming frocks and hats supplied the great private firms, was one of the events of the afternoon. Upstairs in the big salon at the end of the balcony Mrs C D Miller and Mrs Gladstone were attending to private purchasers wishing to buy these. The slideshow of war dogs had a special interest in the late afternoon, when two of the animals, taking an objection to each other, succeeded in breaking down the barrier, and peacemakers had to intervene.
Today [Tuesday 8 May] Mrs Lloyd-George will open the bazaar at 2:30, when the price of admission with be 5s."
(The Times, 8 May 1917)
Additional event, The 'Canadian Matinee', was held on 11 May 1917 at His Majesty's Theatre.
"At the recent Albert Hall Bazaar in aid of St Dunstan's, the Duchess of Somerset raffled a damask table cloth which belonged to Napoleon the Great, being authenticated by Lady Harlech, in whose family it was kept, and by the Countess of Bessborough."
(The Times, 14 July 1917)
At the auction goods for sale included a Stradivarious violin, a Daimler or Ford car, rare chemicals given by the British Cyanide Co., and the Cross of the Legion of Honour worn by Prince Lucien Bonaparte. |
| Related Archival Material | Programme (RAHE/1/1917/19),
Digital Poster |