FIRST EDITION. Folio. (13.2 x 10 inches). Packed with 100's of detailed mono line drawings, the work provides not only a catalogue of the Great Exhibition but its history. A very good copy in attractive early leather binding of full red morocco. Spine with raised bands, the compartments ruled, lettered and fully decorated in gilt. Elaborate decorative gilt panel within single gilt ruled and two blind ruled borders on both boards. Bevelled edges. Gilt inner dentelles. Coated yellow endpapers. All edges gilt. Bound by Lewis and Williams binders of Cardiff and with their small label to the inner rear board. Noted Irish author Joyce Cary's copy with his ex libris, and his son Michael's just below, on the front pastedown endpaper. Some minor rubbing to the edges but overall a very good copy.