Chromolithograph from ‘Recollections of the Great Exhibition of 1851’ by C T Dolby. On show at De la Rue s stand at the Great Exhibition is an enveloping machine, coloured paper, boxes and cards, and examples of printing and bookbinding. To the right of the stand a Spicer s paper roll is hanging down. On the left hand side Langley Bank s twin geometrical staircase to the galleries beyond can be seen. The ‘Great Exhibition of the Works of the Industry of all Nations’ was conceived by Prince Albert (1819-1861). The Crystal Palace, designed by Joseph Paxton (1801-1865), was purpose-built for the occasion. It was the first large-scale prefabricated ferrovitreous (iron and glass) structure.
