2-717-127 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

'The Crystal Palace, Hyde Park, 1851: Opened by Queen Victoria, May 1', (1901). Queen Victoria (1819-1901) opening the Great Exhibition in the purpose-built Crystal Palace in London's Hyde Park. Conceived by her husband Prince Albert, the exhibition was intended to showcase the 'Works of the Industry of all Nations'. The Crystal Palace was the first large-scale prefabricated ferrovitreous (iron and glass) structure, and was designed by the landscape designer, Joseph Paxton. The prefabricated design made the construction, and later dismantling of the building, easier and quicker. There were over six million admissions counted at the toll-gates - the exhibition remained open until 15 October. From "The Illustrated London News Record of the Glorious Reign of Queen Victoria 1837-1901: The Life and Accession of King Edward VII. and the Life of Queen Alexandra". [London, 1901]