The greatest of all international expositions and world fairs is generally believed to have been the Crystal Palace Exhibition of 1851- it was the focal point for the Victorian culture of the Western world. Almost as important as the exhibition itself is this, the Illustrated Catalogue. Richly illustrated, it displays an entire universe of design: ceramics, textiles, cut glass, carpets, clocks, mosaics, and hundreds of other artifacts. A text accompanying more than 1,500 illustrated items gives the reader the illusion of being on a walking tour of the Palace itself. But this catalogue is more than a nostalgic look into the clear-glass walls. It is probably the largest collection of Victorian decorative art ever illustrated, with limitless use-possibilities for the antique collector, historian, designer, and decorator. The casual reader will find this a fascinating look into the past.