Description:Stephanus Polito's Travelling Menagerie
Advertisement for a forthcoming visit by one of the few travelling menageries of the time. The cost of entrance was one shilling.
These were very popular events.
An Amazing Sight
The show, an array of exotic birds and animals would be transported and exhibited in a convoy of six large caravans.
The brightest and most beautiful assemblage of FORIEGN ANIMALS and BIRDS
The exhibition included;
A Bengal Tiger and Tigress
lion from Senegal
lioness from a pride at the Tower of London
kangaroo from Botany Bay
panther from South America
Ursine sloth from Bengal
Wolf
Muscovy Cats
Mandrill
Opossum
Ape
Raccoons
Ostrich from Vandieman's Land
Cassowary from New South Wales
Pelicans
Vultures from Brazil
and many more
The celebrated Collector of Living Curiosities
Italian born Stephanus Polito travelled the country with this exhibtion during the summer and exibited at Exeter Grange in London through the winter.
His exhibitions were educational rather than performance events. Unlike some other shows of the time, he did not make his animals perform tricks.
He died in 1814 but the exhibition still carried his name when the menagerie toured with a new owner.
Lost at Sea?
It is rumoured that the menagerie was lost at sea as it travelled to Ireland in 1836.
About this Document
This document was printed by Edward Bains, Briggate, Leeds. It was collected by local industrialist Enoch Wood and is now part of the collections at Stoke-on-Trent Museums.