The Art Journal catalogue of the Great Exhibition of 1851 Crystal Palace, first edition.
A fascinating collection of items exhibited at The Great Exhibition of the Works of Industry of All Nations, also known as the Great Exhibition or the Crystal Palace Exhibition (in reference to the temporary structure in which it was held), was an international exhibition that took place in Hyde Park, London, from 1 May to 15 October 1851. It was the first in a series of world's fairs, exhibitions of culture and industry that became popular in the 19th century. The event was organised by Henry Cole and Prince Albert, husband of Victoria, Queen of the United Kingdom.
 
Famous people of the time attended the Great Exhibition, including Charles Darwin, Karl Marx, Michael Faraday (who assisted with the planning and judging of exhibits), Samuel Colt, members of the Orléanist royal family and the writers Charlotte Brontë, Charles Dickens, Lewis Carroll, George Eliot, Alfred Tennyson, and William Makepeace Thackeray.
 
The book is red morocco leatherbound hardcover and is a first edition published by Bradbury and Evans, packed with 100's of detailed mono line drawings, the work provides not only a catalogue of the Great Exhibition but also its history. The spine has raised bands and is lettered and fully decorated in gilt. The front and back covers each have an elaborate decorative gilt panel within single gilt ruled and two blind ruled borders. Marbled endpapers. Some minor rubbing to the adges but overall a very good copy, tightly bound with clear text and illustrations. 
 
The book measures 33 x 25,4cm (13" x 10").