Woman's Exhibition at Earl's Court by Imre Kiralfy first edition 1900

KIRALFY, Imre (Director-General). Woman’s Exhibition, 1900, Earl’s Court, London, S.W. Official Guide.
 
London, Spottiswoode & Co., 54 Gracechurch Street, E.C., 1900.
 
8vo, pp. 132, with folding colour plan of the Exhibition grounds and numerous in-text advertisements and sectional lists. Original illustrated wrappers, printed in colour, featuring an allegorical female figure against a stylised exhibition and industrial backdrop; spine and edges lightly worn, corners softened, small surface losses and rubbing to the covers, but generally well preserved. Internally clean, with light age-toning; two pages with small contemporary pencil annotations. The folding map complete, with minor creasing at the folds. Overall, very good.
 
The official guide to the Woman’s International Exhibition held at Earl’s Court in 1900, directed by the impresario Imre Kiralfy, and conceived as a large-scale international showcase of women’s work, education, industry, and art at the turn of the twentieth century. The volume sets out in detail the layout of the exhibition, national sections, industrial and artistic displays, lectures, entertainments, and the extensive programme of associated events. 
 
The fold-out plan shows the full arrangement of courts, pavilions, theatres, restaurants, and gardens, including the Imperial Court, national courts, and specialist sections devoted to subjects such as education, textiles, and women’s employment.
 
Kiralfy, better known for his spectacular international exhibitions and historical pageants, here applied the same organisational and visual rhetoric to a purpose-built celebration of women’s roles across the Empire and beyond. A scarce piece of exhibition ephemera, seldom encountered.