Building for the Great Exhibition of Industry of all Nations in London, 1851 (Looking across...

Artist: Day & Son (lithographer) `The Building was designed by Joseph Paxton (1803-1865), Esq., of Chatsworth, and the details of construction were arranged by Messrs. Fox, Henderson & Co. who are the Contractors for executing the Work.'. Published by Ackermann & Co. (1829-1859) 96, Strand, November 10th. 1850, and by Day & Son (1851-1867) (William Day snr (1797–1845) William Day the younger (1823-1906)), 17, Gate St. Lincolns Inn Fields, London, lithographers to the Queen.A view of the Crystal Palace looking across the Serpentine facing north and showing the north transept. The building had not actually been completed when this plate was published, however the basic structure was finished. All that remained to do now was some glazing of the transept roof and the interior decoration, the latter under the direction of Owen Jones. This is an impression of the finished building. The lithograph is dated January 1851, at which time the building was far from complete. The Crystal Palace was designed by Joseph Paxton (1801-1865). Its importance as a building lies largely in its use of iron and glass on such a scale, in the astounding speed and simplicity of erection, and in the combination of these factors with the resulting aesthetically pleasing design. The Crystal Palace was 1848 feet long, 408 feet wide, and 108 feet high and yet was built in only five months. The exhibition was opened on 1 May 1851 and closed on 11 October 1851 after an incredible 6,039,195 visitors had passed through its turnstiles. This 'temporary' structure in Hyde Park was dismantled in 1854 and re-erected at Sydenham, where it remained until being destroyed by fire on 30 November 1936.