Historical information

In 1791 Prague organized the first World's Fair, Bohemia (modern-day Czech Republic). The first industrial exhibition was on the occasion of the coronation of Leopold II as a king of Bohemia, which took place in Clementinum, and celebrated the considerable sophistication of manufacturing methods in the Czech lands during that time period.
The French tradition of national exhibitions culminated with the French Industrial Exposition of 1844 held in Paris. This fair was followed by other national exhibitions in Europe. In 1851, under the title "Great Exhibition of the Works of Industry of All Nations", the World Expo was held in The Crystal Palace in Hyde Park, London, the United Kingdom. The Great Exhibition, as it is often called, was an idea of Prince Albert, Queen Victoria's husband, and is usually considered to be the first international exhibition of manufactured products. It influenced the development of several aspects of society, including art-and-design education, international trade and relations, and tourism. This expo was the precedent for the many international exhibitions, later called World Expos, that have continued to be held to the present time. (source; Wikipedia)

Physical description

Commemorative medal. Featuring the bust of Edward, Prince of Wales by G. Morgan with the Welsh plume behind and a scene from within the City of London.

Inscriptions & markings

Front; Draped bust of the Prince of Wales left, plumes to right. ALBERT . EDWARD . PRINCE . OF . WALES . PRESIDENT . Verso; View of the Horticultural Society's arcades and the Albert Hall. MDCCCLXXIII below, LONDON . ANNUAL . INTERNATIONAL . EXHIBITION . OF . ALL . FINE . ARTS . INDUSTRIES AND INVENTIONS