{"product_id":"rare-antique-19th-century-glass-memento-from-one-of-the-most-devastating-non-nuclear-explosions-in-british-history-with-period-handwritten-label","title":"Rare Antique 19th Century Glass Memento From One Of The Most Devastating Non-Nuclear Explosions In British History With Period Handwritten Label","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e- FREE UK SHIPPING WITH ALL ORDERS\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e- INTERNATIONAL CUSTOMERS PLEASE PROCEED TO CHECKOUT\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eFOR SHIPPING QUOTES\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA Rare Antique 19th Century Solitary Glass Fragment With A Period Handwritten Label Which States That It Was Kept As A Memento Of The Erith Explosion That Occurred On 1 October 1864. This Event Remains One Of The Most Devastating Non-Nuclear Explosions In British History.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe label reads “The only piece of glass left standing of the window of a room not facing the River in a house at Belvedere after the Great Gunpowder Barge Explosion on the Thames 31 Oct. 186.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe label was likely written sometime after the event. Whoever made the label got the date wrong — misremembering it as the end of October instead of the start.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLabels like this were often handwritten by curators, collectors, or family members preserving relics. Inconsistencies in dates or spelling were common, especially before standardized museum practices. Hence the inconsistencies here.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDespite this, the location (Belvedere), event (gunpowder barge explosion), and type of damage (glass shattering) all confirm its link to the Erith Explosion on 1 October 1864.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis catastrophic event took place in the Erith Marshes, between Plumstead and Erith, on the southern bank of the Thames. Two barges carrying gunpowder ignited, triggering a massive explosion that also detonated nearby land-based powder magazines. The blast was so powerful that it was felt up to 100 miles away, causing widespread destruction in the surrounding areas, including Belvedere.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe specific mention of a solitary piece of glass remaining intact in a room not facing the river underscores the immense force of the explosion and its far-reaching impact. Even structures not directly facing the blast bore the brunt of the shockwave, shattering windows and causing significant damage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis event remains one of the most devastating non-nuclear explosions in British history, highlighting the dangers of transporting and storing large quantities of explosive materials near populated areas.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAttaching explanatory labels directly to artefacts (especially with handwritten notes) was a common practice in the Victorian and Edwardian periods.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe wording style, “The only piece of glass left standing…”, is typical of Victorian sentimental historicism, a style in which relics were often preserved with personal or eyewitness commentary.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis came from a private collection of other curious antique social history mementos.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA rare survivor!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCondition is good, structurally sound.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMeasures 10cm x 8cm x 0.5cm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWeighs 105.11 grams\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/source-vintage.co.uk\/policies\/shipping-policy\" title=\"Shipping\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan face=\".SF UI\"\u003eSHIPPING\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/source-vintage.co.uk\/policies\/refund-policy\" title=\"Returns\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan face=\".SF UI\"\u003eRETURNS\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Source Vintage","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55584158122367,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0259\/1729\/2580\/files\/FA2C5235-BBA8-43FD-A6D3-352AE813CB3F.jpg?v=1749829055","url":"https:\/\/folkandfableantiques.com\/products\/rare-antique-19th-century-glass-memento-from-one-of-the-most-devastating-non-nuclear-explosions-in-british-history-with-period-handwritten-label","provider":"Folk \u0026 Fable Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}