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More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)
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Great Exhibition
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of the Works of Industry of all Nations (London 1851) The full title explains what was in the mind of Prince *Albert when he chaired, in January 1850, the committee which in effect set about planning the first world fair (fixing in advance an opening date just 16 months away). A competition for the design of the building produced 245 designs, from which the committee then produced a composite one of their own, a brick building with a dome.
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News of this unsuitable edifice caused Joseph *Paxton to submit, uninvited, a brilliant solution – the *Crystal Palace. The exhibition was an outstanding success, with its marvellous array of products from all over the world and with some 6 million visitors between May 1 and October 15, including on frequent occasions the queen. It ended with a large financial profit, much of which was used for the *Victoria and Albert Museum.
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