All the world going to see the Great Exhibition of 1851

This illustration was published in a comic novel '1851: or The adventures of Mr and Mrs Sandboys and family who came up to London to “enjoy themselves” and to see the Great Exhibition' with text by Henry Mayhew and illustrations by George Cruikshank. It was later published as a separate portfolio of prints.

The book described the adventures of the Sandboys family who travelled from Cumberland to London to visit the Great Exhibition, eventually arriving just as it closed. Although created for a children’s book, Cruikshank’s political interests are apparent as he mainly focuses on the people who visited the Great Exhibition. Some sketches have little to do with the main story of the novel.

This sketch appeared first in the book and is indicative of how many British people viewed the Great Exhibition. Crystal Palace is situated at the top of the globe, showing Britain’s place in the world, with figures from different nations crowding towards it. Africa is signalled by pyramids and camels on the right, Asia by elephants on the bottom of the globe, America is referenced by ships. Although there were many overseas visitors the majority were from Britain.