LONDON ZOO INTEREST - Chimpanzees at the London Zoo, c.1949- 1956

LONDON ZOO INTEREST - Chimpanzees at the London Zoo, c.1949- 1956

A collection of vintage silver gelatin press prints (46) related to the Chimpanzees in the London Zoo, each measuring approx. 15.5x10.5cm (smallest) and 25x20cm (largest). Various press stamps on verso, including Fox Photos Ltd., International News Photos and Zoological Society of London. Included in this collection is a group of silver gelatin prints of the famous Chimpanzees' tea party (1949-1955), held by the London Zoo from 1926 as attraction for the public. During the 1970s, the debate about the animal rights and the concerns about the ethics of this kind of event, led the London Zoo to end the show. The prints show apes Sally, Soso, Susan and Compo having tea in a garden, surrounded by the crowd and the photographers. Other prints show chimpanzees interacting with the Zoo keepers and the visitors.