Authentic View of The Great Exhibition, Joseph Paxton’s Crystal Palace

Code: 10879

Dimensions:

"An Authentic View of The Great Industrial Exhibition Palace of 1851. Designed by Joseph Paxton, Esq., F.R.S" 
Published T. Dean & Son, Threadneedle St., London. 
Lithograph printed in colour tints highlighted in white
In its original Victorian rosewood frame
Circa 1851
 
Measures:  
32.5 cm x 48 cm (Framed)

A perspective view of the Crystal Palace as it originally appeared in Hyde Park for the Great Exhibition of 1851 with vignettes of "Ground Plan" (indicating its location alongside Rotten Row) and "End Elevation", also a key for scale in feet. The figures in the foreground in various national costumes to demonstrate the diversity of those visiting the exhibition.

Lettered beneath the image with a very informative text: "An Authentic View of The Great Industrial Exhibition Palace of 1851. Designed by Joseph Paxton, Esq., F.R.S. / Length 1848 feet; width 456 feet in the broadest part, exclusive of the Machinery Room on the North side which will be 936 feet long and 48 feet wide; height of centre roof 64 feet; adjacent side proportions 44 feet; other sides 24 feet; and the transept which will enclose large timber trees 108 feet in height and 72 feet wide. The ground floor occupies 752,832 superficial feet and the space provided in the galleries 102,528 feet: exhibition surface, 21 acres. Total cubic contents being 33,000,000 feet. The quantity of glass about 900,000 superficial feet, weighing upwards of 400 tons. 3,300 cast and wrought iron columns, varying from 14 feet 6 inches, to 20 feet in length; 2,224 cast iron girders and 1,128 intermediate bearers for supporting the floors of the galleries; 34 miles of gutter to carry off water. Length of sash bar 205 miles:- From Mr Payton's own report. The great central walk, 72 feet wide; gallery 24 feet wide; length of table space for exhibiting, 8 miles. Contact for use of building, £79,800; or if the building be permanently retained, £105,000."  

With the publication line beneath "Lithd & Pubd by T Dean & Son, Threadneedle Street, London"105,000."  (This is obscured beneath the gilt slip of the original frame - but for authenticity the print has been replaced as previously presented).

A very interesting and extremely scarce historical print of one of the great events of the 19th Century.

See Science Museum, London, Georges Naudet Collection [1984-1445/6] for a similar plain and uncoloured print.