June 29, 2015 12.33 pm This story is over 105 months old

Famous collections arrive in Lincoln for one-in-a-lifetime exhibition

Historic exhibition: World-famous treasures can be found in Lincoln during the county’s long-awaited great exhibition.
Items can be found across Lincoln, including in The Collection museum. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

World-famous treasures have arrived in Lincoln for the city’s biggest ever historic exhibition.

As part of a series of events celebrating the 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta, Lincoln plays host to the Great Lincolnshire Exhibition until September 27.

Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

The event brings together rare artefacts from private, national and international collections.

Items are on display at venues including The Collection, The Usher Gallery, Lincoln Cathedral’s Wren Library and Lincoln Castle.

Joining the collection is the most famous 14th-century illuminated manuscript in England.

The British Library’s Luttrell Psalter is set to be one of the highlights.

The manuscript was made for Sir Geoffrey Luttrell, wealthy lord of the manor at Irnham, near Grantham.

It contains the 150 Psalms of the Old Testament, along with beautiful illustrations depicting contemporary rustic life.

Besides the Luttrell Psalter, the Great Exhibition boasts:

  • The magnificent Heneage Jewel – one of the most important Tudor jewels in the Victoria & Albert Museum’s collection.
  • A detailed map of Australia by Donington-born explorer Matthew Flinders – who also suggested the continent’s name – from the National Archives.
  • Paintings with Lincolnshire connections by great artists including George Stubbs, JMW Turner, Thomas Lawrence and Lucien Freud.
  • The 1225 Magna Carta from the National Archives, sat alongside Lincoln’s 1215 Magna Carta at Lincoln Castle.
  • The Heneage Jewel , one of the most important Tudor jewels in Victoria & Albert Museum’s collection.
Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Lincolnshire’s Great Exhibition has been devised by Lord Cormack, chairman of the Historic Lincoln Trust.

He said: “Many of these items have never been seen in the county before, and many never will be again.

“I hope this event will remind people of the central role the county has played in the history of our country.

“2015 is a special year for Lincoln, marking the 800th anniversary of Magna Carta, and the exhibition is the highlight of a splendid series of events celebrating this.”

The exhibition has two honorary curators, Dr Alan Borg, former director of the V&A, and Jeff James, chief executive and keeper of the National Archives.

It will be accompanied by a book featuring essays and reproductions of many of the treasures.

A joint ticket for the exhibition can be purchased for the castle and cathedral but the majority of the exhibition will be displayed in The Collection and the Usher Gallery where admission will be free.

The exhibition’s main sponsor is the David Ross Foundation. Support has also come from the Lindum Group and generous private donors.