Lemuel Lyes
@lemuellyes.bsky.social
Documentary filmmaker. Archive Producer. History geek and ephemera collector, researcher and storyteller. Kiwi living in Cornwall. May contain vintage stuff.
"I am having a beautiful time, this is where I nearly died with laughing."
Note the Exhibition stamp and postmark as well. I hope you've enjoyed this little series of ephemera and postcards. It's not much, but I wanted to contribute to the memory of this once-in-a-lifetime event.
Note the Exhibition stamp and postmark as well. I hope you've enjoyed this little series of ephemera and postcards. It's not much, but I wanted to contribute to the memory of this once-in-a-lifetime event.
December 2, 2025 at 7:50 PM
"I am having a beautiful time, this is where I nearly died with laughing."
Note the Exhibition stamp and postmark as well. I hope you've enjoyed this little series of ephemera and postcards. It's not much, but I wanted to contribute to the memory of this once-in-a-lifetime event.
Note the Exhibition stamp and postmark as well. I hope you've enjoyed this little series of ephemera and postcards. It's not much, but I wanted to contribute to the memory of this once-in-a-lifetime event.
One last postcard from my collection to commemorate the centenary of the exhibition - this time featuring the entrance to the 'Fun Factory', one of the many amusement attractions.
December 2, 2025 at 7:50 PM
One last postcard from my collection to commemorate the centenary of the exhibition - this time featuring the entrance to the 'Fun Factory', one of the many amusement attractions.
Here's another souvenir 'flying machine' postcard from the NZ & South Seas International Exhibition, Dunedin, 1925-1926. One of the things I love about these cards is the little snapshot they offer of the era's fashion. These three look like they're enjoying their visit to the exhibition!
December 1, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Here's another souvenir 'flying machine' postcard from the NZ & South Seas International Exhibition, Dunedin, 1925-1926. One of the things I love about these cards is the little snapshot they offer of the era's fashion. These three look like they're enjoying their visit to the exhibition!
Incredible experience to see the Exeter Book up close. I was genuinely starstruck. Written c. 970 and believed to be the oldest surviving book of English literature in the world!
At the Treasures Exhibition at Exeter Cathedral. I highly recommend this!
@exetercathedral.bsky.social
At the Treasures Exhibition at Exeter Cathedral. I highly recommend this!
@exetercathedral.bsky.social
November 29, 2025 at 4:50 PM
Incredible experience to see the Exeter Book up close. I was genuinely starstruck. Written c. 970 and believed to be the oldest surviving book of English literature in the world!
At the Treasures Exhibition at Exeter Cathedral. I highly recommend this!
@exetercathedral.bsky.social
At the Treasures Exhibition at Exeter Cathedral. I highly recommend this!
@exetercathedral.bsky.social
The perils of church crawling.
Very sad to see a memorial in this state.
Very sad to see a memorial in this state.
November 22, 2025 at 8:24 PM
The perils of church crawling.
Very sad to see a memorial in this state.
Very sad to see a memorial in this state.
I love novelty postcards like these. Some of my favourites to look out for.
The earlier 1913-1914 exhibition in Auckland had a similar 'flying machine' setup, but, curiously, the 1925-26 cards are harder to find. I'm putting it down to the postcard-collecting craze starting to wane.
My Collection.
The earlier 1913-1914 exhibition in Auckland had a similar 'flying machine' setup, but, curiously, the 1925-26 cards are harder to find. I'm putting it down to the postcard-collecting craze starting to wane.
My Collection.
November 21, 2025 at 9:18 PM
I love novelty postcards like these. Some of my favourites to look out for.
The earlier 1913-1914 exhibition in Auckland had a similar 'flying machine' setup, but, curiously, the 1925-26 cards are harder to find. I'm putting it down to the postcard-collecting craze starting to wane.
My Collection.
The earlier 1913-1914 exhibition in Auckland had a similar 'flying machine' setup, but, curiously, the 1925-26 cards are harder to find. I'm putting it down to the postcard-collecting craze starting to wane.
My Collection.
A souvenir from the NZ & South Seas International Exhibition, Dunedin, 1925-1926.
Don't this duo look absolutely thrilled to be flying over the exhibition grounds!? Visitors could pose in this novelty studio set for a fun little keepsake.
My Collection.
Don't this duo look absolutely thrilled to be flying over the exhibition grounds!? Visitors could pose in this novelty studio set for a fun little keepsake.
My Collection.
November 21, 2025 at 9:18 PM
A souvenir from the NZ & South Seas International Exhibition, Dunedin, 1925-1926.
Don't this duo look absolutely thrilled to be flying over the exhibition grounds!? Visitors could pose in this novelty studio set for a fun little keepsake.
My Collection.
Don't this duo look absolutely thrilled to be flying over the exhibition grounds!? Visitors could pose in this novelty studio set for a fun little keepsake.
My Collection.
So it was nice to see the Dunedin organisers arrange a unique stamp design for the 1925/26 Exhibition.
Here's the reverse of the card.
Here's the reverse of the card.
November 20, 2025 at 9:26 PM
So it was nice to see the Dunedin organisers arrange a unique stamp design for the 1925/26 Exhibition.
Here's the reverse of the card.
Here's the reverse of the card.
It's an attractive stamp - I used to covet these as a young collector.
NZ's first commemorative stamps were issued for the 1906/07 ChCh exhibition. Rather than issuing their own unique stamps, the Auckland 1913/14 exhibition simply overprinted their name on existing definitives.
NZ's first commemorative stamps were issued for the 1906/07 ChCh exhibition. Rather than issuing their own unique stamps, the Auckland 1913/14 exhibition simply overprinted their name on existing definitives.
November 20, 2025 at 9:26 PM
It's an attractive stamp - I used to covet these as a young collector.
NZ's first commemorative stamps were issued for the 1906/07 ChCh exhibition. Rather than issuing their own unique stamps, the Auckland 1913/14 exhibition simply overprinted their name on existing definitives.
NZ's first commemorative stamps were issued for the 1906/07 ChCh exhibition. Rather than issuing their own unique stamps, the Auckland 1913/14 exhibition simply overprinted their name on existing definitives.
Time for some philatelic geekery! The exhibition sold a special series of commemorative stamps - featuring a view of the exhibition grounds. There were 1/2d, 1d, and 4d varieties in different colours.
This 1d example is on a souvenir card, but hasn't been postally used.
My Collection.
This 1d example is on a souvenir card, but hasn't been postally used.
My Collection.
November 20, 2025 at 9:26 PM
Time for some philatelic geekery! The exhibition sold a special series of commemorative stamps - featuring a view of the exhibition grounds. There were 1/2d, 1d, and 4d varieties in different colours.
This 1d example is on a souvenir card, but hasn't been postally used.
My Collection.
This 1d example is on a souvenir card, but hasn't been postally used.
My Collection.
Another postcard from the New Zealand and South Seas International Exhibition, 1925 - 1926 - this one showing a mass of visitors outside the entrance gates. More queues were waiting inside for the various rides and attractions.
My Collection.
My Collection.
November 19, 2025 at 7:44 PM
Another postcard from the New Zealand and South Seas International Exhibition, 1925 - 1926 - this one showing a mass of visitors outside the entrance gates. More queues were waiting inside for the various rides and attractions.
My Collection.
My Collection.
Here's the reverse of the card, with a message from a couple of exhibition visitors.
November 18, 2025 at 10:33 PM
Here's the reverse of the card, with a message from a couple of exhibition visitors.
This glorious scene was the backdrop for revellers counting in the New Year, as reported in the NZ Times, 2 Jan 1926.
November 18, 2025 at 10:33 PM
This glorious scene was the backdrop for revellers counting in the New Year, as reported in the NZ Times, 2 Jan 1926.
This is one of my fav postcards from the exhibition - showing the iconic Grand Dome at night.
The exhibition lights (17,312 of them!) were an attraction in their own right. The grounds were likened to 'a glow-worm palace in a grotto among the hills'.
My Collection.
The exhibition lights (17,312 of them!) were an attraction in their own right. The grounds were likened to 'a glow-worm palace in a grotto among the hills'.
My Collection.
November 18, 2025 at 10:33 PM
This is one of my fav postcards from the exhibition - showing the iconic Grand Dome at night.
The exhibition lights (17,312 of them!) were an attraction in their own right. The grounds were likened to 'a glow-worm palace in a grotto among the hills'.
My Collection.
The exhibition lights (17,312 of them!) were an attraction in their own right. The grounds were likened to 'a glow-worm palace in a grotto among the hills'.
My Collection.
A very early mineral railway - part of the Liskeard and Caradon line. I think this section dates to 1846. Original stone block sleepers are from the nearby Cheesewring quarry. They were cheaper than wood but sometimes sank into the ground after heavy rain, which buckled the tracks.
November 18, 2025 at 3:58 PM
A very early mineral railway - part of the Liskeard and Caradon line. I think this section dates to 1846. Original stone block sleepers are from the nearby Cheesewring quarry. They were cheaper than wood but sometimes sank into the ground after heavy rain, which buckled the tracks.
This postcard from the 1925-26 New Zealand and South Seas Exhibition shows the Grand Court.
As was often the case with big exhibitions, the buildings were designed to be temporary. Most of what you see here are sports fields today - including one of NZ's best test cricket venues.
📸 My Collection.
As was often the case with big exhibitions, the buildings were designed to be temporary. Most of what you see here are sports fields today - including one of NZ's best test cricket venues.
📸 My Collection.
November 18, 2025 at 12:49 AM
This postcard from the 1925-26 New Zealand and South Seas Exhibition shows the Grand Court.
As was often the case with big exhibitions, the buildings were designed to be temporary. Most of what you see here are sports fields today - including one of NZ's best test cricket venues.
📸 My Collection.
As was often the case with big exhibitions, the buildings were designed to be temporary. Most of what you see here are sports fields today - including one of NZ's best test cricket venues.
📸 My Collection.
Here he is in the programme!
November 17, 2025 at 12:31 AM
Here he is in the programme!
Newspaper reports indicate that 50,000 people attended the exhibition on the opening day. Over 3.2 million people visited the exhibition before it closed the following May.
In the upcoming weeks, I'll be sharing more gems from my collection to commemorate the centenary of the exhibition. Enjoy!
In the upcoming weeks, I'll be sharing more gems from my collection to commemorate the centenary of the exhibition. Enjoy!
November 17, 2025 at 12:17 AM
Newspaper reports indicate that 50,000 people attended the exhibition on the opening day. Over 3.2 million people visited the exhibition before it closed the following May.
In the upcoming weeks, I'll be sharing more gems from my collection to commemorate the centenary of the exhibition. Enjoy!
In the upcoming weeks, I'll be sharing more gems from my collection to commemorate the centenary of the exhibition. Enjoy!
But if there was one performance I'd love to see, it would be the Xylophone Duet "Mac and Mac" performed by bandsmen E Edwards and F Cowdrey. Rather humorously, the xylophonists were scheduled to perform after a rendition of Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture.
November 17, 2025 at 12:17 AM
But if there was one performance I'd love to see, it would be the Xylophone Duet "Mac and Mac" performed by bandsmen E Edwards and F Cowdrey. Rather humorously, the xylophonists were scheduled to perform after a rendition of Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture.
The headliners of the opening ceremony were the Band of the 2nd Battalion Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders - part of a concerted effort to drum up Dunedin's Scottishness - with bangers including Highland Harry and Stirlingshire Militia.
November 17, 2025 at 12:17 AM
The headliners of the opening ceremony were the Band of the 2nd Battalion Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders - part of a concerted effort to drum up Dunedin's Scottishness - with bangers including Highland Harry and Stirlingshire Militia.
The ceremony kicked off with a 19-gun salute as Governor General Fergusson left from London St and made his way to Exhibition Park. Guards of honour included crew from HMS Dunedin, and the 1st Battalion Otago Regiment. In the skies above, two aeroplanes from Wigram circled low.
November 17, 2025 at 12:17 AM
The ceremony kicked off with a 19-gun salute as Governor General Fergusson left from London St and made his way to Exhibition Park. Guards of honour included crew from HMS Dunedin, and the 1st Battalion Otago Regiment. In the skies above, two aeroplanes from Wigram circled low.
Today, it's exactly one hundred years since the opening ceremony of the New Zealand & South Seas International Exhibition in Dunedin.
To celebrate, I'm sharing some images from an original copy of the ceremony's official souvenir programme.
My Collection.
To celebrate, I'm sharing some images from an original copy of the ceremony's official souvenir programme.
My Collection.
November 17, 2025 at 12:17 AM
Today, it's exactly one hundred years since the opening ceremony of the New Zealand & South Seas International Exhibition in Dunedin.
To celebrate, I'm sharing some images from an original copy of the ceremony's official souvenir programme.
My Collection.
To celebrate, I'm sharing some images from an original copy of the ceremony's official souvenir programme.
My Collection.
'Picnic at Ventnor' - This slide is part of a series taken during a camping trip to the Isle of Wight. I recognise the endearing smile of the chap in the front from other slides in the collection.
November 15, 2025 at 5:29 PM
'Picnic at Ventnor' - This slide is part of a series taken during a camping trip to the Isle of Wight. I recognise the endearing smile of the chap in the front from other slides in the collection.
I’ll be sharing more images as I work through them – so if scenes of life in Edwardian Britain interest you, then keep an eye out!
Also, feel free to follow my Facebook page for more information about this series - www.facebook.com/historygeeknz
Church in the Wood, Hollington, Hastings.
Also, feel free to follow my Facebook page for more information about this series - www.facebook.com/historygeeknz
Church in the Wood, Hollington, Hastings.
November 11, 2025 at 9:10 PM
I’ll be sharing more images as I work through them – so if scenes of life in Edwardian Britain interest you, then keep an eye out!
Also, feel free to follow my Facebook page for more information about this series - www.facebook.com/historygeeknz
Church in the Wood, Hollington, Hastings.
Also, feel free to follow my Facebook page for more information about this series - www.facebook.com/historygeeknz
Church in the Wood, Hollington, Hastings.
I start to recognise some faces through the slides. As the years painted on the ball tick by, and the faces age from boys to young men, I can’t help but wonder who they are and what happened to them all. Did they make it through the war?
Preparatory School, Uppingham, Rugby Football XV, 1912
Preparatory School, Uppingham, Rugby Football XV, 1912
November 11, 2025 at 9:10 PM
I start to recognise some faces through the slides. As the years painted on the ball tick by, and the faces age from boys to young men, I can’t help but wonder who they are and what happened to them all. Did they make it through the war?
Preparatory School, Uppingham, Rugby Football XV, 1912
Preparatory School, Uppingham, Rugby Football XV, 1912