M. B. Brady at the World's Fair in London

In 1851 Mathew Brady submitted forty-eight portrait daguerreotypes to the “Great Exhibition”—the vast international fair presented by Britain’s Prince Albert at the Crystal Palace in London. When jurors pronounced his daguerreotypes “excellent for beauty of execution,” Brady proudly claimed one of the fair’s highly coveted prize medals. Well aware of the marketing value of such an honor, Brady touted his prize in advertisements such as this full page from a business directory. Here, images of the prize medal, with its profile portraits of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, attest to Brady’s international reputation for excellence.