Bristol Zoo (Closed) Bristol Zoo historical items for auction

polarbear

polarbear

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polarbear said:
Fundraising auction offers chance to secure piece of Bristol Zoo Gardens history - Bristol Zoo Project
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Surprised to see the famous 1949 bronze bust of Alfred the Gorilla included, though the estimate is one of the (if not the) highest. Though they do say they have retained the original for future display at BZP. I remember the bronze bust back when it was situated on a plinth at the steps leading up to the old Monkey Temple, and then later set into the wall of the 1984 Ape House. I bet this item at least will go high and probably some of the rest will too.

Proceeds should help them out a bit too.
 
Bristol Zoo have announced that they are putting 300 items up for auction. There are various things like signage, posters, even a bust of Alfred. All proceeds will go to the new site and conservation projects. Just seen the online auction is live tomorrow, Friday You can check out the auction on BBC SOUNDS
 
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Strathmorezoo said:
. Just seen the online auction is live tomorrow, Friday You can check out the auction on BBC SOUNDS
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It ends on 22nd November apparently when the actual auction takes place.

I was surprised to see the bronze bust of Alfred the gorilla included but I think it is highest estimate put in for it. I remember it very well. The zoo say they have kept the original ( just a deathmask?) for eventual display at the Project site.
 
There’s some interesting items to be auctioned, I’m glad they are auctioning it off as it allows fans to have a piece of the old zoo & it all goes to help the new site too.

Even though it’s for the better, I can’t help feel a tinge of bittersweetness though seeing everything all being sold off from the old Bristol Zoo we knew and love.

While I personally feel it’s a positive & im hoping to perhaps bid myself on one or two of the items , I have seen some negative coverage of it coming from the “Save Bristol Zoo” activists, they do have a bit of a point - it was our understanding that they were going to keep a lot of the features from the Bristol Zoo Gardens intact and open it to the public, so why are they stripping everything such as many of the sculptures (like the giant tortoise shell and the crocodile) & some of the exhibit fences etc?

I guess it’s better than some of the smaller more degradable items being left to nature but presumably other elements such as the bear pole will be kept at the gardens?
 
GeeZee said:
There’s some interesting items to be auctioned, I’m glad they are auctioning it off as it allows fans to have a piece of the old zoo & it all goes to help the new site too.

Even though it’s for the better, I can’t help feel a tinge of bittersweetness though seeing everything all being sold off from the old Bristol Zoo we knew and love.

While I personally feel it’s a positive & im hoping to perhaps bid myself on one or two of the items , I have seen some negative coverage of it coming from the “Save Bristol Zoo” activists, they do have a bit of a point - it was our understanding that they were going to keep a lot of the features from the Bristol Zoo Gardens intact and open it to the public, so why are they stripping everything such as many of the sculptures (like the giant tortoise shell and the crocodile) & some of the exhibit fences etc?

I guess it’s better than some of the smaller more degradable items being left to nature but presumably other elements such as the bear pole will be kept at the gardens?
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The site states items have been retained and given the auction is for 300 items and they note it has been curated I’m not sure it’s ‘stripping’ though it’s understandable that anyone who doesn’t want the zoo to close would feel that way. Nonetheless the old site closed and constantly criticising that and everything that has happened as a result doesn’t seem very productive.

As you say lots of positive things to come from it and the people wholly opposed to the closure will probably have to move on at some point. It’s understandable for it to be a sad moment for anyone who loved it.


  • Retained many of the most significant historical items for display at Bristol Zoo Project or the future Clifton Conservation Hub (to be housed in the iconic Bristol Zoo Gardens entrance building). This includes items such as the Mute Swan bronze swan sculpture from the herbaceous border, and the original death mask of Alfred the gorilla.
 
Legal challenge to current development of 196 homes has been upheld by a judge. Hearing sometime in 2025.. More delays for sale of the site it seems.
 
Pertinax said:
The 25% extra charge seems a bit steep to me. I haven't looked to see how it all works yet though.
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This is 'normal'now unfortunately with these on-line auctioneers. In this case the 25.2% seems to have another 5% added if you bid on-line.
It is indeed a rip-off and stopped me bothering with the Bernard Sayers collection which had some things I really wanted... This one doesnt, so I can personally ignore it.
Good luck to anyone who can afford it.
 
GeeZee said:
There’s some interesting items to be auctioned, I’m glad they are auctioning it off as it allows fans to have a piece of the old zoo & it all goes to help the new site too.

Even though it’s for the better, I can’t help feel a tinge of bittersweetness though seeing everything all being sold off from the old Bristol Zoo we knew and love.

While I personally feel it’s a positive & im hoping to perhaps bid myself on one or two of the items , I have seen some negative coverage of it coming from the “Save Bristol Zoo” activists, they do have a bit of a point - it was our understanding that they were going to keep a lot of the features from the Bristol Zoo Gardens intact and open it to the public, so why are they stripping everything such as many of the sculptures (like the giant tortoise shell and the crocodile) & some of the exhibit fences etc?

I guess it’s better than some of the smaller more degradable items being left to nature but presumably other elements such as the bear pole will be kept at the gardens?
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The 'exhibit fences' I think you are referring to are the old spanish-style grille panels from the original gorilla house, as shown in the photos of the lots. They were an innovation at the time. They have since been re-used as ornate additions in the gardens. I am a bit surprised they are selling them rather than leaving them in situ.
 
Pertinax said:
The 'exhibit fences' I think you are referring to are the old spanish-style grille panels from the original gorilla house, as shown in the photos of the lots. They were an innovation at the time. They have since been re-used as ornate additions in the gardens. I am a bit surprised they are selling them rather than leaving them in situ.
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I remember seeing a very ornate arch made out of those panels during a visit about 15 years ago. I wonder if it has been retained within the old zoo site ?
 
Strathmorezoo said:
I remember seeing a very ornate arch made out of those panels during a visit about 15 years ago. I wonder if it has been retained within the old zoo site ?
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It is possible they had more panels than were later re-used in the gardens and its the spare ones in the auction. From memory there was an archway made of them above the aviary near the Monkey temple and also a decorative 'bridge' walkway in the same area. Maybe that one at least remains, but I don't know the total number of panels involved.
 
Bristol zoo auction faces a legal challenge days before the memorabilia sale. A group of shareholders of the Bristol Zoo Society have called for the auction of items this Friday to be halted and threatened to take court action to stop it. The group sent a legal letter to zoo bosses last Friday hours before a fundraising Gala Dinner. The Dinner, however went ahead with the auction part of the Dinner. So anyone like myself, who was hoping to be involved with the auction this Friday, will have to see what happens.
 
Strathmorezoo said:
Well, the auction is up and running, checked a couple of items, went for alot more than I was prepared to go.
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Me too.:D Everything is going way over the estimates, sky high by comparison but apparently auctioneer estimates are often put low to encourage initial interest.

The bust of Alfred the Gorilla went for £ 9,500. I actually thought it might fetch more but probably still the highest price of the day I imagine.

Zoo Soc. should do well out of it all.
 
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That seemed to go pretty well for the zoo. I bid on a couple of things but they quickly went well over my budget. Even some random collections of non-animal zoo signage were selling for over £200. See what the bench auction brings.

Highest price I think was a metal sign advertising the zoo suspected to have come from Temple Meads station, sold for £16k.
 
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