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Creator:
Pidcock's Royal Menagerie (London, England)
Title(s):
Pidcock's Royal Menagerie farthing token.
Additional Title(s):
Pidcock's exhibition.
Published/Created:
[England], [approximately 1800]
Physical Description:
1 token : copper ; 21 mm in diameter
Holdings:
Rare Books and Manuscripts
Flat D 8b
Yale Center for British Art, Paul Mellon Fund
[Request]
Copyright Status:
Public Domain
Classification:
Three-Dimensional Artifacts
Notes:
The Morning Chronicle of May 17, 1808, noted: “The grandest spectacle in the universe is now prepared at Pidcock's Royal Menagerie, Exeter Change, Strand, where a most uncommon collection of foreign beasts and birds, many of them never before seen alive in Europe, are ready to entertain the wondering spectators. This affords an excellent opportunity for Ladies and Gentlemen to treat themselves with a view of some of the most beautiful and rare animals in creation. Amongst innumerable others are five noble African lions, tigers, nylghaws, beavers, kangaroos, grand cassowary, emus, ostriches etc. Indeed such a numerous assemblage of living birds and beasts may not be found for a century. This wonderful collection is divided into three apartments, at one shilling each person, or the three rooms for two shillings and sixpence each person."
Conder, J. Arrangement of provincial coins, tokens, and medalets issued in Great Britain, Ireland, and the colonies, within the last twenty years, Middlesex 365
Dalton, R. Provincial token-coinage of the 18th century, Middlesex 1067a
Atkins, J. Tradesmen's tokens of the eighteenth century, Middlesex 767a
Undated copper Conder farthing token. The obverse depicts an elephant, with the text “Pidcock's Exhibition.” The reverse depicts a bird of prey, with “Exeter Change, Strand, London.” Pidcock was the proprietor of the Exeter 'Change Menagerie and importer of foreign animals. The business later passed to Gilbert Pidcock, and the tickets issued by both men were trade tokens advertising the menagerie and passed for small change in circulation. Charles James made the Pidcock tokens when he was in London in his second period, 1795-1801 at the address No. 6 Martlett Court, Bow Street London. Lutwych struck a series for Pidcock's menagerie in 1800 but used the service of James as an engraver and diesinker. Lutwych was the manufacturer in Birmingham.
Subject Terms:
Animals -- Great Britain.
Birds -- Great Britain.
Exhibitions -- England -- London.
London (England) -- Social life and customs -- 19th century.
Menageries -- Great Britain.
Pidcock's Royal Menagerie (London, England)
Pidcock, Gilbert.
Form/Genre:
Tokens.
Farthings.
Conder tokens.
Contributors:
James, Charles (Diesinker)
Lutwyche, William.
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IIIF Manifest:
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