Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851 RSA , Royal Society of Arts x Royal Society of Arts

The Great Exhibtion of 1851 was held in London in a specially-designed glass building erected in Hyde Park, nicknamed the Crystal Palace. The profits from this Exhibition purchased the Kensington Gore Estate on which the area named 'Albertopolis' was built and the Royal Albert Hall would come to be erected. The subsequent London International Exhibition on Industry and Art of 1862 was held from 1 May-1 November 1862 in South Kensington, in the gardens of the Royal Horticultural Society, which would later adjourn the Royal Albert Hall on the south side. The Queen, who was in mourning for her recently-deceased husband, did not attend the opening ceremony. The particular aim of the world exhibitions in the 19th century was to promote peaceful competition between nations and would be the last large international exhibitions in Great Britain.