-- The exhibition includes original autographs from the Zulu King Cetshwayo, the largest gathering of contemporary Zulu war shields, period red coats and helmets, and items from the Battles of iSandlwana and Rorke's Drift, which were the subjects of the famous films, Zulu and Zulu Dawn.
The Royal Philatelic Society London has launched its summer museum exhibition featuring more than 550 historical artefacts connected to the Anglo-Zulu War.
The Royal Philatelic Society London, a registered charity and Arts Council England (ACE) accredited museum, is hosting the month-long event at 15 Abchurch Lane, London, EC4N 7BW. The event runs from 1st to 31st July 2023 and it is open from Monday to Saturday from 9.30am to 16.30pm.
The exhibition is free to get in, but those wanting to attend are being encouraged to book at: clashofempires.org.
Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, Traditional Prime Minister to the Zulu Monarch and Nation, said: “One hundred and forty-four years ago, on the rich soil of the Zulu Kingdom, the valiant soldiers of Her Britannic Majesty Queen Victoria met in battle with the warriors of King Cetshwayo kaMpande. It was truly a clash of empires, for the nation forged by King Shaka kaSenzangakhona proved far more formidable than anyone in British society, or the military, ever anticipated”.
When British and Colonial forces invaded the Zulu Kingdom on 11 January 1879, they ignited one of the most famous conflicts of the Victorian era. At the battle of Rorke’s Drift alone – subject of the 1964 film Zulu, which made a star of Sir Michael Caine – no less than eleven Victoria Crosses were awarded to the defenders of a border mission post in the face of an overwhelming Zulu attack.
This month, The Royal Philatelic Society London is hosting a public exhibition displaying postal, historical, and cultural objects exploring the context, history, and enduring legacy of this Clash of Empires.
The exhibition’s narrative begins in the early 19th century with the rise of King Shaka kaSenzangakhona and the emergence of the Zulu Kingdom, and spotlights the 1879 Anglo-Zulu War.
It extends to 2019, exploring the war’s reverberations 140 years after its beginning. The collection includes a piece of soldiers’ kit sent home to the family of a man killed at the Battle of Rorke’s Drift, and letters written from Zululand by Lieutenants Chard and Bromhead, the two senior British officers at the battle. It also includes a spectacular collection of Zulu shields carried into battle by warriors defending their country against British invasion in 1879.
The depth and scope of this exhibition present a once-in-a-generation opportunity to see the intertwined stories of this “dramatic piece of history”, as Ian Knight describes it, an important historical event told from both British and Zulu perspectives through hundreds of artefacts.
Prince Buthelezi recognises the relevance of the Anglo-Zulu War and its resounding impact on future generations. He said: “I hope that as you ponder the artefacts and original letters in this collection, you will experience the drama and tragedy as well as the valour and dignity of this, our shared history”.
This unique exhibition, a “doorway into the past”, as Prince Buthelezi emphasises, provides an immersive experience where visitors can intimately explore the Anglo-Zulu War through the vast display of more than 550 historical artefacts related to the shared history of these two nations, placing a particular emphasis on the Battles of Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift, the subjects of the celebrated films Zulu (1964), starring Michael Caine, and Zulu Dawn (1979), starring Peter O’Toole.
At the centre of the exhibition is a spectacular pair of dioramas replicating battles of the Anglo-Zulu War, offering visitors with a unique 360-degree view of the battle scenes.
“Certainly, in modern times, this is the most significant exhibition looking at a single conflict like this, presenting the largest range of physical artefacts connected with the Anglo-Zulu War and engaging with both the British and the Zulu perspectives,” Ian Knight, acclaimed author and historian.
About Us: Additional photographs available for media use - https://www.dropbox.com/sh/sbtdq7hepm1vhkp/AABGvrFvxOaZ5gk_QrGOPpgza The Royal Philatelic Society London is an ACE accredited museum in the heart of the City of London. Over the decades, the Royal Philatelic Society London (RPSL) has acquired a large collection of artefacts and records that are currently housed in its museum. The collections have high historic and monetary value and are a valuable resource for research on many aspects of philatelic development and exhibition. In keeping with its standing as a learned society with a worldwide reputation for excellence, the RPSL invests considerable resources on improving the conservation and preservation of the museum collection. https://clashofempires.org/
Contact Info:
Name: Alexander Haimann
Email: Send Email
Organization: Clash of Empires
Website: https://www.clashofempires.org
Release ID: 89101815
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