Token, Great Britain, ca. early nineteenth century
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
ca. early nineteenth century
Token, Great Britain, ca. early nineteenth century is an object recorded by Victoria and Albert Museum, dated ca. early nineteenth century. The museum's brief description reads: Circular copper ticket check or commemorative medallion, struck for Pidcock's Exhibition, or Pidcock's Menagerie, depicting a lion and an eagle. Designed by C. James of London and struck by William Lutwyche, Birmingham, ca.1800.. Museum description: Circular copper token for Pidcock's Exhibition, obverse: a picture of a bird with outstretched wings and the words BIRDS AND BEAST around the edge. Reverse: a picture of a lion holding a sign between his paws giving the address of the Menagerie 'EXETER CHANGE STRAND LONDON', and 'PIDCOCK'S EXHIBITION' around the edge. The museum record gives material recorded as copper; measurements Diameter 2.7 cm; place associated: Great Britain. These details come from the holding museum's own record; how far this object represents a wider collectible type has not yet been independently verified.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Historical context
This token was one of a series produced by the Birmingham coin manufacturer William Lutwyche and designed by C. James of Bow Street, London during his second London period when he lived in Bow Street, Covent Garden, from 1795 to 1800. It advertises animals in Pidcock's menagerie at Exeter Change, an exhibition hall in London's Strand from 1773. The menagerie was divided into three rooms and included African lions, tigers, beavers, emus and ostriches. An advertisement referring to the two-headed heifer, or young cow that appeared on one of these tokens appeared in the 29th January 1791 edition of the London Chronicle. According to The Morning Chronicle in 1808, the animals could be viewed for a shilling a room, or all three rooms for two shillings and sixpence. Gilbert Pidcock began with a small travelling menagerie, but in 1793 bought the stock of Thomas Clark, a dealer in wild birds and animals who had the lease of Exeter Change in London's Strand. Pidcock kept his animals there but toured them to London fairs and the provinces during the summer. Pidcock died in 1810 aged 67, and was succeeded by the travelling menagerie owner Stephen Polito (1863-1814), and then by Edward Cross (1774-1854) who bought it on Polito's death. Exeter Change was demolished in 1829, and after Cross moved his menagerie to the King's Mews, Trafalgar Square, some of his animals were sold to the new London Zoo in Regent's Park. In 1831 Cross sold the remaining animals to the Surrey Literary,…
Physical characteristics
- Material
- copper
- Dimensions
- Diameter 2.7 cm
Technical characteristics
- Technique
- copper, struck
- Place recorded
- Great Britain
Identification
- Museum object name
- Token
- Museum object number
- S.1381-2014
- Museum system number
- O1295699
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: confirm materials, dimensions, maker and wider type against the museum record and a specialist reference.