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1816 Bullocks Museum curios and fossils

1816 Bullocks Museum curios and fossils


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1816 Bullocks Museum curios and fossils

1816 handcoloured 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 6347367

© PAUL D STEWART/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

Conybeare Everard Home Ichthyosaur Icthyosaur Mary Anning Natural History Museum Proteosaurus Bullocks Museum Curiosities De La Beche Egyptian Hall London Museum


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EDITORS COMMENTS
This print takes us back to the year 1816, where we witness the grandeur of Bullocks Museum in all its glory. The handcoloured copperplate engraving by R. Sands beautifully captures the essence of this historical landmark, which was built by William Bullock in Piccadilly, London. The Egyptian Hall, completed in 1812, served as a magnificent home for Bullock's extensive collection of curiosities and fossils. Among his prized possessions were taxidermy specimens, ethnographic items brought back by Captain Cook, and fascinating fossils that intrigued both scientists and enthusiasts alike. Notably displayed at Bullocks Museum were the first Mary Anning specimen of an ichthyosaur - a remarkable find that would forever shape our understanding of prehistoric marine life. Later on, Thomas Birch contributed more complete specimens to the museum's collection. Sadly, these collections met different fates; Bullock's collection was sold in 1819 while Birch's followed suit in 1820. However, their significance did not go unnoticed as prestigious institutions like the British Museum acquired Annings' first ichthyosaur skull and the Royal College of Surgeons obtained Birch's more complete specimen (tragically destroyed during World War II bombings). As we gaze upon this illustration from Paul D. Stewart sourced from Science Photo Library, we are transported to a time when public museums held immense allure for visitors. The combination of artistry and natural history showcased within these walls drew over 220,000 individuals through its doors in just one year - a testament to their enduring fascination with curiosities from around the world.

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