De La Rue's Stationery Stand and Envelope Machine, from "Recollections of the Great Exhibition, 1851"
Edwin Thomas Dolby British
Lithographer Day & Son, Ltd., London British
Publisher Lloyd Brothers & Co. British
Not on view
At the Great Exhibition of the Works of Industry of all Nations, held in London in 1851, displays of art and manufacture were shown at the Crystal Palace, a specially-built glass and iron building in Hyde park designed by Joseph Paxton. Between May and October more than six million visitors flocked to view thousands of objects organized by theme and place of origin at the first world’s fair. This lithograph centers on Thomas De La Rue and Company's envelope folding machine, surrounded by samples of colored paper, printed cards, boxes and bookbinding, as a sign directs visitors "Not to Touch Any Article." At right, a roll of paper manufactured by Spicer Brothers hangs from the ceiling near figures climbing and descending Langley Bank's paired spiral staircases. Publishers Lloyd Brothers teamed with lithographers Day & Son to create the hand-colored set to which the print belongs, the whole offering well-to-do visitors a detailed and beautifully produced souvenir.
