For your consideration is this Rare and Scarce Special First Edition Two Volume Set of John Tallis' "The Great Exhibition Of The World's Industry in 1851. Illustrated by beautiful steel engravings, from original drawings and daquerreotypes, by Beard, Mayall, etc." This special edition, of the original three individual volumes printed and published by Tallis here in two volumes, is bound in black pebble Morocco Leather Gold Gilt Stamped Decorated covers and spine. Gold gilt top, bottom and fore edges. Attractive copy of this extensive study of the Crystal Palace Exhibition in London, the international exposition of the arts and industry sponsored by the British Government and private supporters. Illustrated with over 140 steel engravings reproduced from daguerreotypes by Beard and Mayall, this work is an illustrated history of the Palace as well as the contributions of the 19 member nations who exhibited the best of their cultural creations both from the past and present. The engravings are exquisitely produced and represent the highest quality examples of the art as executed by the British engravers Hollis, Bibby, and D. Pound to name the most prominent. The British Museum Catalogue ascribes the text authorship to William Gaspey (1812-1888). The Great Exhibition was the first in a series of World's Fairs, exhibitions of culture and industry that became popular in the 19th century. The event was organized by Henry Cole and Prince Albert, husband of Victoria, Queen of the United Kingdom. Famous people of the time attended the Great Exhibition, including Charles Darwin, Karl Marx, Michael Faraday, Samuel Colt, Charlotte Bronte', Charles Dickens, Lewis Carroll, Geroge Eliot, Alfred Tennyson, and William Makepeace Thackeray. The world's first soft drink, Schweppe's, was the official sponsor. John Tallis (1817 – 1876) was an English cartographic publisher. His company, John Tallis & Company, published views, maps and atlases in London from 1838-1851. For the Great Exhibition of 1851, Tallis published the Illustrated World Atlas, one of the last series of decorative world maps ever produced. Both volumes are in exceptionally fine condition, scuffing exhibited to covers. Intact pages exhibit age tanning throughout and slight foxing as well. Each measures 5"W x 7.5"L x 2.25"D, combined weight 4lb, 2oz.