The Great Exhibition: India No. 7, 1852. Chromolithograph. John Tallis' widely read History and Description of the Crystal Palace described India as Britain's pre-eminent colonial possession and the source of 'priceless treasures'. However, while acknowledging the value of India to Britain, the author denigrates the 'tributes' sent to the exhibition as 'glittering toys' and examples of 'wasteful and ridiculous excess'. The prejudices expressed in the text reflect the prevalent tone of nationalism and its racist undercurrent.
