Liverpool Royal Institution Founders
The project focuses on the owners of the 213 initial shares at the foundation of the Royal Institution, as the number of shareholders increased throughout the nineteenth century. These shareholders, known as proprietors are immortalised alphabetically on wooden plaques, depicting the name of each founder, followed by their share number. These boards are still in existence and can be found on display within the University of Liverpool’s estate, at 19 Abercromby Square.
Video on the Royal Institution Silver ticket boards, located in 19 – 23 Abercromby Square by Laurence Westgaph
Each founding member purchased one or more shares, or silver tickets, which cost £100 each. By 1839, the value of a share had depreciated and they were available to purchase at £40 each. By 1858, the cost of a share depreciated further, to £25 per silver ticket.
The silver tickets were silver medallions (see below), with the head of Athena and the words ‘Liverpool Royal Institution’ on the obverse and a laurel wreath, the shareholder’s name and the ticket / share number on the reverse.
There were also shareholders who purchased bronze tickets, which cost £50 each. Bronze tickets were not very popular and were discontinued on 14th March 1820.
Silver Ticket Holder Plaques
