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Handbill announcing the closure of Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens: 'Farewell to Vauxhall, doomed to be destroyed'. The closure was marked by a 7-night event in July with fireworks, concerts and supper, organised by Mr G Stevens. After almost 150 years the gardens closed forever on Monday July 25th 1859 and the contents were auctioned off the following month.A post-closure auction was recorded in Punch listing some lots:"I all helpless have looked on, while the voice of Mr Driver [auctioneer] hath re-echoed 'Going-Gone!' While the fixtures, and the figures, and the fittings, great and small, have been sold in lots six hundred from the Gardens of Vauxhall!'"Lot 51: One deal painted table, with turned legs (one of the original tables made for the Gardens in 1754!). Lot 112. Scenery to Hermitage and Hermit.' Lot 119. An Equestrian picture of the Emperor and Empress of France at a Hunting Party, with costume of Louis XIV, 12 feet square. Three dozen blue dinner plates. Lot 204, A Plaster bust of Scott. A 'ditto Byron,' and 'ditto Tennent', next three lots 'ditto the celebrated M.C., Mr Simpson'. Lot 215 'A Keyboard of Dumb Piano.' Lot 253 Three hat-boxes. Lot 311. A Transparency of H.R.H. P.A. [Prince Albert].'I count two-and-eighty punch-bowls knocked down by the hammer. But who shall count the headaches which had their birth with them. Teetotalism, I fear, was not in feather at Vauxhall. The stock of soda-water glasses ammounteth but to twelve, but of brandy glasses there are more than thirty dozen!". 

Details
Collection:	Surrey
Image type:	Print
Artist:
Ref:	07353
Identifier:	14/581 Handbills
Date:	1859

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