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Two fascinating broadsheets for Paul Bernabo's travelling zoo
by BERNABO, Paul
- Used
- first
- Condition
- See description
- Seller
-
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Payment Methods Accepted
About This Item
Germany, 1851. First Edition. Two fine German broadsheets, advertising a travelling zoo. Among the many fascinating animals listed for exhibition, the Australian dingo makes a surprising inclusion.
The 1840s and 1850s saw a distinct rise in the popularity of travelling menageries throughout the world; one thinks of the Beaumont-Waller exhibits held in Hyde Park in Sydney in 1847. A staple of such exhibits was a wide variety of animals from the far-flung reaches of the globe, with the exotic and the ferocious equally prized. Although we have not found much recorded about Paul Bernabo (‘from Italy' notes one of the broadsheets here), he had clearly learnt the lessons of showmanship, as can be seen from his use of a dramatic woodcut of a snake strangling a tiger.
Indeed, it is apparent that Bernabo's travelling zoo brought an impressive range of wild animals to the German public, with tigers, lions and other wild cats from Africa, an anaconda from Brazil, a sable from Japan, as well as two crocodiles (with a note from Bernabo that they have never hitherto been seen). However, the listing of especial Australian interest is for the "Schakal aus Neu-Holland", which translates as the New Holland Jackal and refers, presumably, to the dingo.
The sheet with the woodcut is dated 1851; the second is undated but approximately the same age. Two broadsheets, 400 x 243 mm.; 218 x 380 mm., a little marked but very good condition overall.
The 1840s and 1850s saw a distinct rise in the popularity of travelling menageries throughout the world; one thinks of the Beaumont-Waller exhibits held in Hyde Park in Sydney in 1847. A staple of such exhibits was a wide variety of animals from the far-flung reaches of the globe, with the exotic and the ferocious equally prized. Although we have not found much recorded about Paul Bernabo (‘from Italy' notes one of the broadsheets here), he had clearly learnt the lessons of showmanship, as can be seen from his use of a dramatic woodcut of a snake strangling a tiger.
Indeed, it is apparent that Bernabo's travelling zoo brought an impressive range of wild animals to the German public, with tigers, lions and other wild cats from Africa, an anaconda from Brazil, a sable from Japan, as well as two crocodiles (with a note from Bernabo that they have never hitherto been seen). However, the listing of especial Australian interest is for the "Schakal aus Neu-Holland", which translates as the New Holland Jackal and refers, presumably, to the dingo.
The sheet with the woodcut is dated 1851; the second is undated but approximately the same age. Two broadsheets, 400 x 243 mm.; 218 x 380 mm., a little marked but very good condition overall.
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Details
- Bookseller
- Rare Illustrated Books
(AU)
- Bookseller's Inventory #
- 1736
- Title
- Two fascinating broadsheets for Paul Bernabo's travelling zoo
- Author
- BERNABO, Paul
- Book Condition
- Used
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Edition
- First Edition
- Place of Publication
- Germany
- Date Published
- 1851
- Keywords
- German travelling zoo zoology broadsheet broadsheets woodcut woodcuts woodengraving exotic animals circus elephants tigers bears oh my entertainment history
- Bookseller catalogs
- Animals; Australiana;
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Rare Illustrated Books
Biblio member since 2018
Sydney, New South Wales
About Rare Illustrated Books
Intriguing and rare collectors' books of international interest from 1850 - 1950. We buy and sell - fine condition paramount.
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