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1855 Punch Dinosaurs Crystal Palace
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1855 Punch Dinosaurs Crystal Palace
1855 Cartoon from Punchs Almanac of that year, ascribed to John Leech. " A visit to the antediluvian reptiles at Sydenham - master Tom strongly objects to having his mind improved". Clockwise from top; Iguanodon (with bird on its wrongly ascribed horn), Megalosaurus, Hylaeosaurus, prehistoric gharial (teleosaurus), ichthyosaur. The actual exhibits were designed to fit the victorian ideal of educating the masses. They were the work of artist Benjamin Waterhouse Hawkins (based on the research of Owen, Mantell, Buckland, Conybeare and others). The Crystal Palace Antediluvians were the first life-size reconstructions of dinosaurs, and this cartoon indicates that many saw them as nightmarish monsters of a former age. Children would love dinosaurs ever after
Science Photo Library features Science and Medical images including photos and illustrations
Media ID 6346311
© This image is Paul D. Stewart 2009. Do not reproduce without permission of the photographer at Stewartpauld@aol.com
1855 Buckland Caricature Cartoon Crystal Palace Education Humour Ichthyosaur Iguanodon Mantell Megalosaur Megalosaurus Owen Pre Historic Punch Restoration Sydenham Victorian Hylaeosaurus John Leech
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This print takes us back to the year 1855, capturing a moment of both awe and resistance. The image depicts a cartoon from Punch's Almanac, believed to be the work of John Leech, showcasing a visit to the antediluvian reptiles at Sydenham's Crystal Palace. Clockwise from top, we see an Iguanodon with a bird perched on its horn (though wrongly ascribed), followed by the mighty Megalosaurus, Hylaeosaurus, prehistoric gharial or teleosaurus, and an ichthyosaur. These life-size reconstructions were designed by artist Benjamin Waterhouse Hawkins based on extensive research by Owen, Mantell, Buckland, Conybeare and others. However, this cartoon reveals that while many saw these exhibits as educational tools for the masses in line with Victorian ideals of enlightenment through knowledge dissemination; some viewed them as nightmarish monsters from a forgotten era. The central figure in this illustration is "master Tom" who strongly objects to having his mind improved. This humorous caricature highlights how even children would develop an enduring fascination with dinosaurs after encountering these impressive creatures at Crystal Palace. Through this remarkable photograph print captured by Paul D. Stewart for Science Photo Library, we are transported back in time to witness not only the scientific achievements but also societal reactions surrounding these prehistoric reptiles' restoration.
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