The Industrial Courts in the South Nave formed the commercial heart of the Crystal Palace, but unlike the Fine Arts Courts, very few pictures of them are known to exist. The seven main courts were known under several different names and some even changed their type of business over the years (we are talking 82 years here so it's unlikely they would be used for selling the same thing in all that time; research in directories could come in useful)
Sheffield Court
Chinese Court
Birmingham Court
Manufacturers Court
Minor Manufacturing Court
Stationary Court
Entertainment Court
Musical Instruments Court
Foreign Glass Manufacturers
Bohemian Court
China and Glass Court
China Court
Music Court
No picture(s)
Textile Fabrics Court 1
Printed Fabrics Court
British Ceramic Manufacturers
Glass and China Court
Costume Court
Fabrics Court
Manchester Court?
Textile Fabrics Court 2
Mixed Fabrics Court
Ceramic Court
a) New Book Court + b) Tourist's Court + c) Scientific Instruments and Photographic Court
Photographic Court
Foreign Court
French Court
Fancy Manufacturers
Industrial Court
Tea Room
No pictures
There were also smaller industrial units, like the Furniture Court (seen in the plan above), as well as other commercial activities taking place in the wings, basement and upper galleries. I wonder where, in the Crystal Palace, the Negretti & Zambra premises were located?
Of the main courts, the Birmingham and Stationary Courts may have closed in the last few years or decades leading up to the Great Fire of 1936. Indeed, from preliminary research, it seems the Birmingham Court was the first to go and it's unnoccupied space wasn't being used for anything. At this time the Stationary Court was being used as an Entertainment Court, and there's reason to believe this court was demolished, possibly for widening of the entrance from the High Level Station subway I would guess.
Do anymore pictures exist out there? I know there's meant to be a stereocard showing the Ceramic Court. Tulse Hill Terry's input is greatly needed here...