Nothing is known about this act except it appeared in Frank Bostock’s ‘Jungle’ in Sheffield and on the road between at least 1901-1910.
There appears to be no information regarding Batty and whether he was from the famous family of equestrianers.
On show at the Circus Hall of Fame Sarsota, Florid, USA.
Edward Cross, a notable wild beast merchant of the 19th century, owned and operated the menagerie at Exeter Exchange in London. Among his collection of exotic animals were several lions, and he famously named multiple lions “Wallace.”
Number of Wallace Lions:
It is documented that there were at least three lions named Wallace at different times. Each of these lions gained some degree of fame:
The practice of reusing the name “Wallace” for successive lions helped build a lasting brand and reputation for Cross’s menagerie, attracting visitors who were familiar with the famed lion by that name. This tradition of naming multiple animals with the same name is not uncommon in the history of menageries and zoos.
George Wombwell was a prominent British showman and the founder of Wombwell’s Traveling Menagerie, one of the most famous traveling animal shows in the 19th century. His menagerie was renowned for its exotic animals, and among them, a lion named Wallace became particularly famous.
Fame and Legacy:
George Wombwell’s lion, Wallace, remains one of the most famous lions in the history of traveling menageries. Wallace’s reputation for being a magnificent and gentle lion made him a star attraction and helped cement George Wombwell’s legacy as a leading showman of his time. The story of Wallace highlights the public’s enduring fascination with exotic animals and the rich history of animal exhibitions in the 19th century.
However, the Wallace depicted above was from the USA, and, according to the card, was from the Wombwell and Bostock Wold Animal Show. Reported to have killed 3 of its trainers and had to be ‘executed’.
It was Frank Bostock that went to the USA in the late 1800s and successfully traveled the country with his Wild Animal Show. He also had a permanent site on Coney Island, New York.
Frank C. Bostock, known as the “Animal King,” was a pioneering figure in the world of traveling menageries and animal shows. Originating from a family deeply entrenched in the circus and menagerie business in the UK, Bostock expanded his operations internationally, achieving remarkable success in New York in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Born in 1866 in England, Frank Bostock was part of the famous Bostock and Wombwell menagerie family. From a young age, he was immersed in the world of exotic animals and show business. Frank eventually branched out to create his own menagerie, distinct from his family’s legacy, which would go on to become a global sensation.
In the early 1890s, Frank Bostock brought his menagerie to the United States, where he quickly made a name for himself. New York, with its burgeoning entertainment industry and appetite for spectacle, provided the perfect setting for Bostock’s grand exhibitions.
Frank Bostock’s tenure in New York marked a significant chapter in the history of traveling menageries and animal exhibitions. Through his innovative approach to animal training and showmanship, Bostock captivated audiences and set new standards for the industry. His legacy as the “Animal King” endures, reflecting his contributions to entertainment, animal welfare, and cultural history.
In the colorful tapestry of entertainment history, Frank Bostock’s menagerie stands out as a fascinating chapter that brought the exotic wonders of the animal kingdom to the doorsteps of audiences. Born in 1866, Frank Bostock was a showman and menagerist who created a traveling spectacle that captivated the imaginations of people across continents.
Bostock’s journey into the world of menageries began at a young age. His fascination with animals and a keen sense of showmanship led him to establish his own menagerie, showcasing a diverse collection of creatures from every corner of the globe. Bostock’s vision was not just about displaying exotic animals but creating an immersive experience that transported spectators to far-off lands.
What set Bostock apart was his mobile menagerie – a traveling caravan of wonders that brought the allure of the wild to both urban centers and rural areas. From lions and tigers to elephants and exotic birds, the menagerie featured a breathtaking array of creatures. This traveling spectacle became a cultural phenomenon, providing a taste of the exotic to audiences who might never have the chance to see such animals otherwise.
Bostock’s menagerie wasn’t merely about entertainment; it also served an educational purpose. His shows often included informative talks about the habits, habitats, and characteristics of the animals on display. Bostock sought to cultivate a sense of wonder and respect for the natural world, fostering a connection between people and the creatures that shared the planet.
Bostock’s menagerie gained royal approval when he presented his traveling show to King Edward VII, further solidifying its prestige. Beyond the shores of England, Bostock expanded his menagerie empire internationally. The success of his shows in the United States and Australia attested to the universal appeal of his carefully curated exhibits.
Running a traveling menagerie posed numerous challenges. Animal welfare concerns were raised, and Bostock faced criticism for the conditions in which the animals were kept. However, it’s important to contextualize these issues within the historical understanding of animal care during the time. Bostock, in his era, was at the forefront of popularizing and showcasing wildlife.
Frank Bostock’s menagerie left an indelible mark on the history of entertainment. His innovative approach to combining education with spectacle laid the groundwork for future zoos and wildlife exhibitions. The legacy of Bostock’s menagerie endures in the collective memory of those who experienced the thrill of encountering exotic animals in the midst of their everyday lives.
In the grand tapestry of showmanship, Frank Bostock’s menagerie remains a vivid thread that weaves together the realms of entertainment, education, and wildlife appreciation. Bostock’s traveling spectacle brought the wild to the urban and rural landscapes, leaving an imprint on the cultural fabric of the times. While the methods and ethical standards of animal exhibitions have evolved, Bostock’s menagerie remains a fascinating chapter in the history of human fascination with the wonders of the animal kingdom.
Wessex Archaelogy are to look for a dead elephant near Kingswood, Bristol. Here’s The Observer link to the report.
I have doubts they will find much other than bones. Bones with lots of ‘hacks’ on them. At £400 a time the late Victorian menagerist, EH Bostock (or in this case his brother in law Frank Bostock (Little Frank*)), would have extracted as much of the meat from the bones to feed to the other beasts in the menagerie.
However, if they do find anything of the elephant, then the forensics would be interesting. The pit would, of course be large and easy to spot methinks!
Psst! There’s an elephant buried on the banks of The Clyde River. Don’t tell anyone.
There’s one buried at Smithfields market too!
*Not to be confused with E H’s brother Frank (Big Frank)
hattip to Heather for these reliable facts.
UPDATE: The whereabouts of this building has now been solved. It was part of the Franco-British Exhibition at White City in London during 1908. It’s architecture fits with the rest of the site, which went on to hold the Olympic Games and is on the same location where the former BBC Centre still stands. A diary belonging to Kate Frye describes a visit to the Zoo back in 1914. By this date the site had become the Anglo-American Exhibition, which was cut short due to the outbreak of war.
Then John and I by tube to the White City and there we strolled about. I was dead tired and had the rat horribly until we had some dinner when I revived a bit but felt anything but lively and walked about in rather a dead fashion. We did not try many side shows and they were failures. Bostocks Zoo – heaps of performing lions but all very sad. We missed most of it as we went there last but we saw the poor dears fed. We also saw some wonderful racing on a miniature motor track, but John was seized with a panic fear so we came out. Saturday July 11th 1914
There is every reason to believe that Frank Bostock was responsible for its existence during 1914 as he had returned from America and had exhibited his menagerie under the billing ‘Bostock’s Arena’ as in his Coney Island site in New York.
End
A new addition to the collection gives us a problem as to its location. It is not the Arena in New York’s Coney Island. Nor is it the Arena at Earl’s Court in London. A clue to its whereabouts is in the writing from the sender of the original card:
‘Dear Win this is part of the YMCA It is a big place’, plus a franked impression marked PADDINGTON.
The other places considered are Glasgow and Sheffield, but it does not have the same architecture of either sites. It is certainly a permanent structure though.
I can see it possibly being in London, but there is no record I have found on its location. It had a full uniformed staff as well. Any information is appreciated including the possible architect, etc.
Taken from the Stories page of these scrapbooks about Glasgow entertainments, it contains a wealth of information about E H Bostock and the Glasgow Zoo up to around 1910 -1911. It makes some interesting reading and I thank the University of Glasgow for bringing it to our attention.
The Britannia Music Hall had already been open for half a century on Glasgow’s Trongate by the time A. E. Pickard took it over. Under his management, the Britannia reopened in July 1906, now called “the Britannia Theatre of Varieties and Grand Panopticon” and incorporating a museum, freak-show and zoo. Presenting four shows daily, at 2pm, 4pm, 7pm and 9pm, the Panopticon was a prime music hall venue, at a time when that form was thriving. The scrapbooks give valuable insights into the music hall business in Scotland, as Pickard kept an eye on the competition and documented his own publicity. Acts booked for the Panopticon included singers, dancers and comics, while the Museum, in addition to its permanent displays and topical waxworks, featured novelty acts of a more bizarre nature.
Use the search facility to see the relevant pages on Bostock.
The following have been added to the reseacrh website and collection:
A postcard showing the view of some of the cages with lions and lionesses. Appeared at Earl’s Court and around the UK, especially Sheffield.
Postcard from Frank Bostock’s Arena, Coney Island, New York, USA, showing Polar Bears with unknown, rather camp male trainer. More information is sought.
Lowly Entertainer circa 1900 ‘Poor Billey’ also labelled ‘King of the Ring’. Thought to be Billy[Spell] Bertram, a lowly comedian circa 1890s. Had a reputation for being a ‘Jonah’, whereby he would have a part in a production which immediatley went bust! The dramatist George R Simms wrote an article about Bertram under the title Without the Limplight .
Lloyd’s Weekly Newspaper (London, England), Sunday, February 5, 1899; Issue 2933. Reproduced here by permission the the British Library under their normal terms of usage. More information is sought regarding the phrase ‘King of the Ring’.
E H Bostock probably with Dixie the elephant around 1932
Prince LawdTanno (Spell) known to have been travelling with a menagerie and circus around 1905. Probably a lion tamer modelled on Montarno the African Lion King. Known to have travelled with Chipperfield’s French Menagerie during the early twentieth century.
Waggon containig two lions and possibly a seated trainer or keeper, also at Selby circa 1930. Not a typical B&W waggon, so it is also probably a Sanger outfit.
The following photographs have been sent to us for dating and for any other information. I have added my comments underneath each photograph, but would welcome further information via the comments section at the bottom of the post or via email: shaun.everett1@gmail.com
Thank you for your interest in this project about the local history of Selby in Yorkshire. My thanks to Mr Chilvers for providing the original photographs.
Rare view of B&W booth at Selby during 1931. This must have been one of the last times it visited the town or anywhere else, given it disbanded the following year. Shows the poor condition of the booth front.
At Selby, showing a group of Dancing Bears on the left of the picture performing for the local population. Unknown group and date. Information would be welcome.
The ‘Almost Human’ Chimpanzee ‘Consul’ is shown in this postcard as a ‘pupil’ of Frank Bostock’s Jungle. However, since the original ‘Consul’ died several years before 1908, it actually shows Frank Bostock’s skills in promoting profitable acts even after their death! The original ‘Consul’ performed at Bostock’s Coney Island arena in New York, USA before coming to Europe to tour in 1904. He died shortly after his arrival in Europe. Bostock though, had several replacements lined up all billed as ‘Consul’!
From an old article (undated):
The performing chimpanzee Consul, which was regarded as the smartest monkey in the world, has died in Berlin. The chimpanzee was insured for £20,000. [An English paper has the following with reference to the chimpanzee: — “A living argument for Darwin’s theory is to be found in America in Consul, the chimpanzee, which is one of the central attractions of Bostock’s Animal Arena. This queer little man-like monkey lives like a gentleman. He rises at the sound of the gong at ten o’clock in the morning. After he has discarded his light blue silk pyjamas he takes his morning tub… Just before be retires at 11.30 pm he takes a pint of hot chocolate for a nightcap. Consul’s nearness to the human family is shown in his appreciation of stimulants and his fondness for cigars and cigarettes. He would sell his birthright if he had the opportunity, for a bottle of whisky. The very sight of it brings forth a grin from ear to ear. A full account of Consul’s daily doings would be a mere catalogue of all the things that other gentlemen do. He sleeps in a bed, stretches and yawns. He brushes his teeth and combs his hair, carefully parting it in the middle. He dresses and undresses himself and shows partiality for certain combinations of dress. He also mends his clothes, washes them, and hangs them out to dry. He plays football, boxes like Fitzimmons and can carry a 30 lb weight while walking erect. Consul rides a bicycle. He is the only animal known who has succeeded in getting on and retaining the momentum of the bicycle. He is an expert chauffeur, and owns a handsome electric motor car. He uses a typewriter and writes his name boldly. His intelligence is marvellously suggestive”.] – The Capricornian
I remember London Zoo holding daily Chimpanzee tea parties. I certainly attended one (as visitor!) during the school trip around 1958. They eventually died out given the rise of the Animal Rights movement and public opinion. That did not stop PG Tips from using Chimpanzees in their advertisements well into the 1960s in Britain.
This card shows a tableau with Indra the Elephant as the main attraction. Tableaus containing exotic animals were popular around 1908, the year of the Earl’s Court Exhibition, London.
A souvenir postcard from one of Frank Bostock’s Jungle appearances. Artist unknown to date.
A card, also from Frank Bostock’s Jungle tours. It can be dated to 1908.
The rear view of the above card, showing Bostock’s enterprising use of associated advertising.