Blackpool Big Wheel Medallion

Obverse of Blackpool Big Wheel Medallion

Reverse of Blackpool Big Wheel Medallion

The Winter Gardens Company
In 1895, the Blackpool Winter Gardens Company wanted an attraction to rival the successful and famous Blackpool Tower. It decided upon a gigantic wheel. The first had been constructed by G.W.G. Ferris for the Chicago World's Fair in 1893, and was 250 feet high. Another had been built for the Earl's Court Oriental Exhibition of 1895. They floated a new company, The Auto-Music Company Ltd., to own and operate the big wheel, a wise decision, as it was not commercially successful.
Interestingly, the charge at Blackpool was only 6 pence, compared with 1/- and 2/- in London. It would seem that Blackpool gave terrific value in those days, just as it continues to do nowadays.
In 1896, the wheel opened to the public, but it was overshadowed by the tower, which at 519 feet, was over twice its height. The big wheel itself was 214 feet high, and rotated every 15 minutes compared with 35 minutes for its London rival.

Obverse
The obverse side of the medal depicts the structure of the big wheel, and an entrance gate to the Winter Gardens, with the inscription:
BLACKPOOL GIGANTIC WHEEL

Reverse
The reverse side contains the inscription:
ERECTED WITHIN SIX MONTHS
OPENED
22 AUG 1896
HEIGHT 220 FEET
WEIGHT 440 TONS
FULL LOAD
750
PEOPLE

The medallion measures xxm in diameter, and is struck in white metal.

See Also
1928 Blackpool Big Wheel Medallion