Ryde Social Heritage Group research the social history of the citizens of Ryde, Isle of Wight. Documenting their lives, businesses and burial transcriptions.
RYDE SOCIAL HERITAGE GROUP
Based at Ryde Cemetery Heritage & Learning Centre. Preserving, documenting and promoting the social history of Ryde on the Isle of Wight.
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Entertainment at the Victoria-rooms 1875

WOODROFFE’S AMERICAN GLASS-BLOWING EXHIBITON
14 August 1875
One of the most interesting exhibitions which has been witnessed in this town for a long time is now open to the public at the Victoria-rooms.  It is that of glass-blowing, and as it is explained and illustrated by Mr. Woodroffe, it cannot fail to delight and edify both young and old.

Advert Harrrisburg 1880

The chief object of interest are two steam engines—the one is a vertical low-pressure steam engine, and the other a horizontal high-pressure engine.  The peculiarity of these being that they are constructed entirely of glass, which has been blown, as exhibited by Mr. Woodroffe, not one portion having been moulded or made by machinery.  The pistons, valves, and condensers being transparent, the action of the engines and the mode of admitting and exhausting the steam is shown to perfection. The high-pressure engine drives a miniature model of a battery of eight stamps, such as is used in Australia, New Zealand, and California, in crushing quartz for the extraction of gold, and the driving band is also of glass in minute links.

The framework of the engines being of various colours gives a very pleasing effect to their appearance when lit up at night, and the vertical engine, which stands upwards of three feet in height, looks quite like a fairy creation.  Mr. Woodroffe construct a variety of articles of use and ornament, explaining as he goes on, the properties of glass and the variety of forms into which it can be converted by the simple processes of blowing and manipulation, also the process of colouring.

Mrs. Woodroffe is at the same time engaged in the manufacture of a variety of pretty ornamental articles in glass consisting of baskets of fruit, birds, ships and many other things. These articles are distributed as prizes at the close of the entertainment.

This exhibition we understand has been in every part of the world.  Mr. Woodroffe exhibits tonight and Saturday, also on Saturday afternoon.

21 August 1875
If anyone wishes to see a novel and instructive entertainment, let them go at once to the Victoria-rooms, where Mr. and Mrs. Woodroffe are exhibiting the mysteries of the art of glass blowing.  We can conscientiously recommend this entertainment. There is plenty to see, and the attention of the visitor will be pleasantly and profitably engaged for about two hours.

Sources: IW Observer
Images: gatheringacrowd.com
Article:  Ann Barrett