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Bailey Rawlin's Expanding View of the Great Exhibition

Peep-Show
1851 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Object Type
When extended the seven views visually come together to create the illusion of a three-dimensional view of the main nave of the Crystal Palace. The views were printed by colour lithography with some hand colouring in watercolour.

Trading
The Great Exhibition was held in the Crystal Palace, in Hyde Park, from 1 May to 15 October 1851. The exhibition proved to be extremely popular and was seen by a total of over six million visitors. Visitors came from a variety of social backgrounds and different areas of the UK and other countries. Various manufacturers and printers recognised a potential souvenir market and a great many different forms of memorabilia were produced, including toys, games, ceramics, stationery, publications, prints, models and sheet music.

Places
This three-dimensional arrangement of seven views shows the main view of the nave from the door of the Crystal Palace. On the cover there are vignettes showing an exterior view and the arrival of the Royal Party inside the Crystal Palace.

Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleBailey Rawlin's Expanding View of the Great Exhibition (assigned by artist)
Materials and techniques
Colour lithography with watercolour
Brief description
Bailey Rawlins. Expanding view of the Great Exhibition, printed and published by Charles Moody, London, 1851
Physical description
A diorama consisting of colour lithographs with some watercolour mounted together and unfolded so as to create a perspective view
Dimensions
  • In cover height: 16.3cm
  • In cover width: 18.5cm
  • Expanded depth: 60.5cm
Dimensions checked: Measured; 20/01/1999 by sf
Gallery label
(27/03/2003)
British Galleries:
A number of toys and games were developed in response to the Great Exhibition. This concertina arrangement with seven layers of 'scenery' shows the main view from the door of the Crystal Palace. Look through the peephole to see the intended effect.
Object history
Transferred from the Library in 1936
Summary
Object Type
When extended the seven views visually come together to create the illusion of a three-dimensional view of the main nave of the Crystal Palace. The views were printed by colour lithography with some hand colouring in watercolour.

Trading
The Great Exhibition was held in the Crystal Palace, in Hyde Park, from 1 May to 15 October 1851. The exhibition proved to be extremely popular and was seen by a total of over six million visitors. Visitors came from a variety of social backgrounds and different areas of the UK and other countries. Various manufacturers and printers recognised a potential souvenir market and a great many different forms of memorabilia were produced, including toys, games, ceramics, stationery, publications, prints, models and sheet music.

Places
This three-dimensional arrangement of seven views shows the main view of the nave from the door of the Crystal Palace. On the cover there are vignettes showing an exterior view and the arrival of the Royal Party inside the Crystal Palace.
Bibliographic reference
Victoria and Albert Museum, Department of Engraving, Illustration and Design and Department of Paintings, Accessions 1936, London: Board of Education, 1937.
Collection
Accession number
E.971-1936

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Record createdMarch 27, 2003
Record URL
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