ZSL London Zoo Old photos of London zoo

[Jacobea]

Just noticed this thread,i doubt that any kind of photo is from 1827 as the camera hadnt been invented then!Also the zoo wasnt open the public at that time and the first hippo didnt arrive until 1850,The earliest known zoo photograph is of a sheep paddock at the Jardin des Plantes,Paris [1851].As for the John Edwards book it took him about a dozen years to sell out-so if you havent got it you have only yourself to blame [he only sold out last year].

Actually, the earliest known photograph (or "heliograph") dates from 1822

One of the best books on early London Zoo that I've come across is the "Zoological Society of London", by Henry Scherren, dated 1905. It's downloadeable for free, and virus free, here:

Internet Archive: Free Download: The Zoological Society of London : a sketch of its foundation and development, and the story of its farm, museum, gardens, menagerie and library

Lots of lovely old watercolours within, as well as some photos, if I recall rightly.

 

[tim b]

Well its splitting hairs i will admit, but the camera as such was not invented as i said.Heliography is a light process using plates.The Scherren book is famous amongst zoo historians,and rare [worth at least £100],there are photographs in it.One school of thought claims that Chalmers Mitchell borrowed rather too heavily from it when writing the centenary history of the ZSL in 1929.The latter was ,of course,largely responsible for Whipsnade.

 

[Tim May]

Another superb reference for old photos of london zoo is John Edward's 'London Zoo from old photographs'.

It's a brilliant book with some superb photographs, but difficult to get hold of these days. There is a copy in the Zoo library you can borrow.

A revised edition, of the excellent book “London Zoo from Old Photographs”, should be published later this year.

 

[Tim May]

One of the best books on early London Zoo that I've come across is the "Zoological Society of London", by Henry Scherren, dated 1905. It's downloadeable for free, and virus free, here:

Internet Archive: Free Download: The Zoological Society of London : a sketch of its foundation and development, and the story of its farm, museum, gardens, menagerie and library

I agree: Scherren’s excellent book is one of the best books about early London Zoo; it took me years to find my copy. I am surprised to learn that it’s available to download for free.