Reports by the Juries

"Great Exhibition of the Works of Industry of All Nations, 1851", Official Descriptive and Illustrative Catalogue, in three volumes, n.d., Reports by the Juries in the thirty classes into which the Exhibition was divided, in four volumes, 1852, First Report of the Commissioners..., 1852, Supplement to the First Report...containing engravings of the medals and certificates, 1853, together 9 vol., large. 4to, London, Spicer Brothers, Wholesale Stationers, W. Clowes and Sons, Printers, original uniform red morocco by Riviére, the title of each vol. and the crowned monogram of Victoria and Albert stamped in gilt on covers and spines. Special large paper edition of 115 copies for presentation to the Queen, the Exhibition Commissioners, the British Museum and a few other institutions, together with an additional 15 sets reserved for Fox Talbot. Each volume of the above set commences with a leaf stating "Presented by Her Majesty's Commissioners for the Exhibition of M.D.CCC.L.I. to John Gott, Esquire", surmounting the royal monogram. The volumes are illustrated with a total of 154 calotype prints, their average size 21.5 x 16.5 cm. The prints show exhibits, sections of interiors with displays, outdoor views with sculpture and machinery. The negatives were taken by C. M. Ferrier of Paris and Hugh Owen of Bristol. Ferrier applied the more advanced albumenized glass plates that were then popular in Paris, while Owen made paper negatives following a variation on Talbot's method. The salted paper prints were made by Nicolaas Henneman in the Regent Street studio acquired from Talbot. As a gesture of good will, Talbot released his patent on the occasion of this publication, thus eliminating the legal obstacles in England to producing books illustrated with paper prints to which Talbot claimed to have a patent. Thus 15 copies were presented to Fox Talbot for permission to use photographic publication which he had patented. All the volumes are in very good original condition, th