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Benjamin Disraeli, Earl of Beaconsfield, figure head, Hull, Hull City of Culture 2017, Maritime Museum, Museums, Ships, The Chap, Victorian., Victoriana
This is one of my favourite exhibits at the Maritime Museum in Hull; a regular stop on my strolls around the city.
This ships figurehead belonged to the “Earl of Beaconsfield”, which ran aground in 1887. The internet, namely the Wreck Site website, informs me that the sailing ship was built in 1864 by a Glasgow firm.
The figurehead depicts Benjamin Disraeli, the first Earl of Beaconsfield, Conservative Politician and Prime Minister twice during the reign of Queen Victoria. He was also listed as one of “The Chap” magazines “Fashion Statesmen” due to his flamboyant attire. The figurehead is very striking, especially in contrast with its two feminine, whitewashed, Greco-Roman neighbours on the half landing on the stairs up to the first floor exhibition spaces.
The museum is free and well worth a visit, even if it’s just to look at the Earl of Beaconsfield.
The Antics Roadshow blog 
I am pleased to see that you like this Figurehead I restored him a number of years ago for the Museum, details of my work and vast related archives can be seen at http://www.figureheads.co.uk
Richard Hunter
Figurehead Historian
WOW! Thank you for all the hard work you obviously put into the restoration and thank you for getting in touch. I won’t ask exactly how many years ago you worked on the figurehead, but I can’t remember a time when it wasn’t in its current position; livening up the place.
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