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1816 Bullocks Museum curios and fossil
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1816 Bullocks Museum curios and fossil
1816 copperplate engraving by R. Sands from a drawing by J.P. Neale, published by John Harris for " The Beauties of England and Wales". The Egyptian Hall was built in 1812 by William Bullock in Piccadilly, London, to house his collections which included taxidermy, fossils and ethnographic items brought back by Captain Cook. As a public museum it was a great success drawing in over 220, 000 visitors in 1816. The first Mary Anning specimen of an ichthyosaur were displayed at Bullocks Museum (as well as later more complete specimens belonging to Thomas Birch, (described by Sir Everard Home in an article of 1819, and named by him Proteosaurus). Bullocks collection was sold in 1819 and Birchs in 1820. The British Museum bought Annings first ichthyosaur skull and the Royal College of Surgeons bought Birchs more complete specimen - which was destroyed by the bombing of 1941
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Media ID 6344349
© PAUL D STEWART/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
Black And White Conybeare Everard Home Ichthyosaur Icthyosaur Mary Anning Natural History Museum Proteosaurus Bullocks Museum Curiosities De La Beche Egyptian Hall London Museum Mono Chrome
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This print takes us back to the year 1816, offering a glimpse into the fascinating world of Bullocks Museum. The engraving, skillfully crafted by R. Sands from a drawing by J. P. Neale, showcases the renowned Egyptian Hall in Piccadilly, London. This architectural marvel was constructed in 1812 by William Bullock as a home for his vast collection of curiosities and fossils. Bullocks Museum quickly became a sensation among the public, attracting an impressive number of visitors - over 220,000 in just one year! Among its prized possessions were taxidermy specimens, ethnographic items brought back by Captain Cook's voyages, and most notably, Mary Anning's groundbreaking discovery - the first ichthyosaur specimen ever displayed at this prestigious institution. However, time took its toll on these remarkable collections. In 1819, Bullock sold his beloved museum along with its treasures; while in 1820 Thomas Birch's more complete ichthyosaur specimen met a tragic fate during the bombing of London in World War II. Nevertheless, some remnants survived this tumultuous history: Annings' initial ichthyosaur skull found its way to the British Museum while Birch's specimen was acquired by the Royal College of Surgeons before meeting its untimely demise. Through this stunning illustration captured by Paul D. Stewart from Science Photo Library we are transported to an era where natural history museums like Bullocks held immense allure and scientific wonderment for all who entered their hallowed halls.
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