Crystal Palace Animation. Crystal Palace Animation. Crystal Palace Animation. Crystal Palace. Source.html. Source Material The Great Exhibition of 1851, Victoria & Albert Museum, C.H.Gibbs-Smith, 1981. This book provides a overview of the political and social events leading to the construction of the Crystal Palace as well as a summary of its construction and use. The Building Erected in Hyde Park for the Great Exhibition of the Works of Industry of All Nations, 1851 by Charles Downes, Architect, with scientific description by Charles Cowper, Assoc. Inst.C.E. Published 1852. Detail from a high resolution scan of the construction documents.