Two fascinating broadsheets for Paul Bernabo's travelling zoo.
Germany? circa 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.
Price (AUD): $2,450.00 other currencies