Friday, May 4, 2012
Bandwagon--Great Deal On One Of The Best Circus History Publications Available Anywhere
The Circus Historical Society will be offering a huge special on some past editions of the Bandwagon. Each and every special will only be good for two months.
We are making the first offering for the entire six issues of 1990. These issues are covered in detail on our website under the Bandwagon Magazine tab, indexes of Bandwagon Articles, then to 1957 to 1999.
These issues are filled with great circus history as authored by Joseph Bradbury, Gordon Carver, Orin C. King, Joanne Joys, Fred D. Pfening Jr. Steve Gossard, Stuart Thayer, Jerry Digney and more.
Maybe you haven’t been in the CHS for 20 years and would love to read lots more about the circus or maybe you’re looking for that perfect gift already, but you can’t pass up a deal like this.
$25.00
Includes the shipping!
Make your check payable to the C.H.S. and mail it to: Bandwagon Back Issues, 2515 Dorset Rd.,
Columbus, Ohio 43221 or use PayPal on their website at www.circushistory.org
Wombwell's Menagerie
Wombwell's Menagerie in the Great Quadrangle, Windsor Castle 1847
Bostock and Wombwell's Spelling Menagerie
Tower of London Raven Aviary
It is not known when the ravens first came to the Tower of London, but their presence there is surrounded by myth and legend. Unusually for birds of ill omen, the future of both Country and Kingdom relies upon their continued residence, for according to legend, at least six ravens must remain lest both Tower and Monarchy fall.
The first Royal Observatory was housed in the north eastern turret of the White Tower. Legend has it that John Flamsteed (1646 - 1719), the 'astronomical observator' complained to King Charles II that the birds were interfering with his observations. The King therefore ordered their destruction only to be told that if the ravens left the Tower, the White Tower would fall and a great disaster befall the Kingdom. Sensibly the King changed his mind and decreed that at least six ravens should be kept at the Tower at all times to prevent disaster.
The Raven Master Derrick Coyle is a Yeoman Warder or 'Beefeater' dedicated to caring for the Tower's unique Unkindness of Ravens.
There are seven ravens at the Tower today ( the required six plus one spare!) Their names are Hardey, Thor, Odin, Gwyllum, Cedric, Hugine and Munin. Their lodgings are to be found next to the Wakefield Tower.
The ravens consume 6oz. of raw meat and bird formula biscuits soaked in blood each day. They are very partial to an egg each once a week plus the occasional rabbit which is given to them whole as the fur is good for them! They also enjoy scraps from the mess kitchen at the Tower - they particularly like fried bread!
To prevent the birds flying away one of their wings is clipped by the Raven Master. This does not hurt the raven nor does it harm them in any way. By unbalancing their flight it ensures that they don't stray too far from the Tower.
However despite the wing clipping, there have been occasional escapes. Grog was last seen outside an East End pub called the 'Rose and Punchbowl' in 1981. Like Hardey he had been at the Tower for 21 years but unlike Hardey, Grog obviously felt he needed a change of scene!
Occasionally ravens have to be dismissed for bad behaviour. This happened to George who received his marching orders in 1986 after he developed an unhealthy taste for TV aerials:
"On Saturday 13th September 1986, Raven George, enlisted 1975, was posted to the Welsh Mountain Zoo. Conduct unsatisfactory, service therefore no longer required."
Ravens can live to a very ripe age. The oldest raven to live at the Tower was called Jim Crow who died at the age of 44. The oldest raven currently at the Tower is Hardey who is 24 years old.
The fortunes of the Tower Ravens reached their lowest point just after World War II when only Raven Grip was left at the Tower. It is believed that the birds were upset by the continuous bombing of London. There is also the suggestion, although it has never been proved, that one raven, Mabel, was kidnapped!
Since 1987 the Tower has undertaken a successful breeding programme for the ravens. Charlie and Rhys paired up and produced a total of 17 chicks.
Two of the newest recruits came from the Owl Sanctuary in the New Forest having been rescued as fledglings. Called Odin and Thor, they have been at the Tower since 1997. Thor is a very good mimic.... on a quiet day he will repeat things the Raven Master has said to him with exactly the right tone to create all sorts of confusion!
Tower of London Menagerie
In 1828, a Bengal lion called George arrived at the Tower of London. The lion cub and his sister were a present to George IV from General Watson.
Various artist have constructed chicken wire sculptures commemorating various animals kept at the Tower of London Royal Menagerie
The Circus "NO SPIN ZONE": Tower Lions????
The Circus "NO SPIN ZONE": Tower Lions
The Circus "NO SPIN ZONE": Tower Lions
The Circus "NO SPIN ZONE": Tower of London--London, England
The Circus "NO SPIN ZONE": Lion Tower--Tower of London ...
The Circus "NO SPIN ZONE": For Anonymous--Tower of London Elephant Armor--1986
Tower of London Menagerie
Henry III received ‘a white bear’ from King Haakon of Norway in 1252. It was kept on a very long chain so it could fish in the Thames for food!
Tower of London Menagerie
Henry III’s biggest animal gift was a male African elephant, which he received from King Louis IX of France in 1255
Tower of London Menagerie
In the 1780s, the Tower monkeys lived in a furnished room where visitors would be amused at their antics and humanlike behavior.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)