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Obaysch
A Hippopotamus in Victorian London
Series: Animal Publics
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Obaysch
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See moreObaysch: A Hippopotamus in Victorian London is the story of Obaysch the hippopotamus, the first 'star' animal to be exhibited in the London Zoo. Uncovering the circumstances of Obaysch's capture and exhibition, this book investigates the notion of a 'star' animal, as well as the cultural value that Obaysch accumulated.
Obaysch: A Hippopotamus in Victorian London tells the story of Obaysch the hippopotamus, the first ‘star’ animal at the London Zoo.
Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and
still learning, it may not be perfect - your
feedback is welcome!
Description
Obaysch: A Hippopotamus in Victorian London is the story of Obaysch the hippopotamus, the first 'star' animal to be exhibited in the London Zoo.
In 1850, a baby hippopotamus arrived on English shores, allegedly the first in Europe since the Roman Empire, and almost certainly the first in Europe since prehistoric times. Captured near an island from which he took his name, Obaysch was donated by the viceroy of Egypt in exchange for greyhounds and deerhounds. His arrival was greeted with a wave of 'Hippomania', doubling the number of visitors to the zoo.
Uncovering the circumstances of Obaysch's capture and exhibition, John Simons investigates the notion of a 'star' animal, as well as the cultural value that Obaysch, and the other hippos who joined him over the following few years, accumulated. This book also delves into the historical context of Obaysch and his audience, considering the relationship between Victorian attitudes to hippopotami and the expansion of the British Empire into sub-Saharan Africa.
'Obaysch: A Hippopotamus in Victorian London is a fine example of how an academic book can work for a general readership...it is over and above an accessible, intelligent, charming, sometimes funny, sometimes sad account of Obaysch.' - Stephen Romei, The Australian
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Obaysch
Obaysch: A Hippopotamus in Victorian London is the story of Obaysch the hippopotamus, the first 'star' animal to be exhibited in the London Zoo. In 1850, a baby hippopotamus arrived on English shores, allegedly the first in Europe since the Roman Empire, and almost certainly the first in Europe since prehistoric times. Captured near an island from which he took his...Paperback$6900Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 2-3 weeks -
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Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?
Obaysch is a captivating read for those interested in Victorian history, exotic animal histories, and particularly hippos. It proves engaging for both academic audiences and general readers, being a part of the interdisciplinary Animal Publics series. The book is described as absorbing, readable, and informative, suggesting a high quality consistent with other works in the series.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9781743325865
Publisher: Sydney University Press
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 02 January 2019
Country: Australia
Imprint: Sydney University Press
Illustration: 28 plates
Contributors:
- Edited by Fiona Probyn-Rapsey
Audience: Professional and scholarly
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 15.0mm
Width: 148.0mm
Height: 210.0mm
Weight: 350g
Pages: 230
About the Author
Emeritus Professor John Simons is an historian specialising in the history of animals. He has written or edited twenty books, on topics ranging from Middle English chivalric romance to Andy Warhol to the history of cricket. His previous books on animals include Animal Rights and the Politics of Literary Representation (2002), Rosetti's Wombat (2008), The Tiger That Swallowed the Boy: Exotic Animals in Victorian England (2012) and Kangaroo (2012), which was listed for the Royal Society of Biology's Book of the Year Award. He is a published poet and has just completed his first novel. He has worked in universities on every continent except Antarctica and most recently was Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) at Macquarie University in Sydney.
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