Nature in the newspapers
In the 19th century many newspapers and magazines began to appear in Elbląg. From time to time they published information about the world of nature. In the Elbląg press of that time we can find popular scientific articles about animals and plants, the advertisements about missing pets or announcements of exhibitions of rare and exotic animals. There was also practical advice on growing plants and keeping animals.
Illustrations:
1. An advertisement published in 1874 in the Elbinger Post inviting all members of the Society for the Protection of Birds to send letters about their experiences with bird conservation and ornithological observations.
2. An advertisement published in 1874 in the Elbinger Post about a missing dog. As described in the ad, the dog had white spots on its chest and a new silver collar. The dog may have run away or been kidnapped. A reward was offered for the return of the dog to the owner or for good information on the dog’s whereabouts.
3. An advertisement published in 1874 in the Elbinger Post promoting Kaufmann’s animal menagerie with elephants, lions, tigers, hyenas, bears, wolves, jackals and snakes. The shows took place on the parade ground in Elbląg, a venue frequently used for various circus and acrobatic spectacles. Kauffman’s menagerie held the shows, which included exercises with Indian elephants, at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. each day.
4. Invitation poster for the animal show. On display were Russian wolves, including a she-wolf with five cubs, a jackal, a hyena, lampart, black and brown bears, sixteen-foot pythons, an eagle, monkeys and prosimians. There were also anteaters, musk deer, bats, parrots, thousands of beetles and butterflies from around the world. This particular menagerie also contained many rare species of marine animals, bird and reptile eggs, rocks, minerals and fossils, as well as coins, skulls, animals preserved in alcohol and various archeological objects, some even from the Bronze Age. We can call this curious collection a wandering Kunstkammera.