2-888-397 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Great Exhibition of 1851 - Progress of the Building in Hyde Park, 1850. 'The progress of the Crystal Palace for the Great Exhibition, next year, is sufficiently advanced to enable us to commence a series of Illustrations by which we hope to inform our readers of the general character and details of the structure, and also of the various ingenious modes and contrivances adopted by the contractors for executing the works with the greatest certainty and rapidity. Our view exhibits the commencement of the erection of the central avenue, which will present a corridor, uninterrupted, 1848 feet in length, extending from the east to the west end of the building. The most difficult and complicated part of the work is that which is to cover in the old elm trees, more than 90 feet high; and the contractors have wisely determined to execute this part in the first in stance. Our view is close to this spot'. From "Illustrated London News", 1850.