Invitation card from the Royal Polytechnic Institution to a Conversazione, c 1850s.

An invitation card to a Mr Glaisher from Mr J H Pepper (1821-1900), the Resident Director of the Royal Polytechnic Institution to a 'Conversazione' (a social gathering for the educated discusion of art, literature, science etc), at 309 Regent Street, London. This was clearly a grand event as John Walter MP is to give the opening addres and the guests have been asked to wear 'Evening Dres. 'Profesor' Pepper established a series of evening clases in educational and trade subjects, lectured both in New York and Australia and published a number of popular scientific text books. The Royal Polytechnic Institution was founded in 1838 by the aviation pioneer Sir George Cayley (1773-1857) to provide an educational service for Londoners.