3-056-511 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

'The Opening Ceremony', Crystal Palace, Sydenham, 1852-1854. Designed by Sir Joseph Paxton to house the Great Exhibition of 1851 in Hyde Park, the Crystal Palace was reconstructed and enlarged in Sydenham in 1852. The first column was raised on 5 August 1852 and the palace was opened by Queen Victoria on 10 June 1854. Many exhibitions and events were subsequently held at the Crystal Palace until it burnt down on 30 November 1936. The park contained a motor racing circuit from 1937 until 1972 and the famous athletics track dates back to the foundation of the Crystal Palace Athletics Club in 1868. Plate 99 from "Photographic Views of the Progress of the Crystal Palace, Sydenham. Taken during the progress of the works, by desire of the directors, by Philip H Delamotte. Together with a list of the directors and officers of the company, etc". [London, 1855].