W
Wendy
Guest
This is an extract from R K Dents book Old and New Birmingham:
"In 1855 the town paid a well deserved tribute to the memory of Sir Robert Peel, by the errection of of a bronze statue, designed by Peter Hollins and cast by Messers Elkington and Mason, being the first colossal work of its kind ever produced in one piece in Birmingham. Upwards of three tons of metal were used in the casting of this work, which is eight feel and a half inches high. It stands on a fine pedestal of polished granite,resting on a sub plinth of grey stone: and was originally surrounded by a handsome railing, the bars of which represented large clusters of wheat ears, to commemorate the repeal of the corn laws. These however, have lately been removed and the position of the statue slightly altered, so to harmonise with the Priestley statue in the same locality, to which reference will be made at the date of errection. The Peel statue was errected at the junction of New Street, Ann Street and Paradise Street, and was unveiled on the 27th August, 1855, being presented to the corporation, on behalf of the city Committee, by the Hon Rev. Grantham Yorke (now Dean of Worcester), Chairman. The cost of the statue was 2,000 guineas".
"In 1855 the town paid a well deserved tribute to the memory of Sir Robert Peel, by the errection of of a bronze statue, designed by Peter Hollins and cast by Messers Elkington and Mason, being the first colossal work of its kind ever produced in one piece in Birmingham. Upwards of three tons of metal were used in the casting of this work, which is eight feel and a half inches high. It stands on a fine pedestal of polished granite,resting on a sub plinth of grey stone: and was originally surrounded by a handsome railing, the bars of which represented large clusters of wheat ears, to commemorate the repeal of the corn laws. These however, have lately been removed and the position of the statue slightly altered, so to harmonise with the Priestley statue in the same locality, to which reference will be made at the date of errection. The Peel statue was errected at the junction of New Street, Ann Street and Paradise Street, and was unveiled on the 27th August, 1855, being presented to the corporation, on behalf of the city Committee, by the Hon Rev. Grantham Yorke (now Dean of Worcester), Chairman. The cost of the statue was 2,000 guineas".