Artefact of the month - January 2010
Jumbo's March, composed for the pianoforte by George Barnham. Illustrated by Alfred Concanen, 1882
ZSL Library has a number of fascinating music scores in its collection. These are the music and words to mostly comic songs performed in the highly popular music halls around the country. If you liked the song enough you could buy the music and sing it yourself at the piano at home.
This one, "Jumbo's March", concerns the famous elephant Jumbo who lived in London Zoo. He was a huge elephant and so eventually gave his name to describe anything that is very large.
This particular piece of music has no words, but has subtitles to explain what the music represents, such as "Jumbo's march round the Zoo", "Jumbo being fed by his juvenile friends", "Children mounting on Jumbo", and "Off for a ride".
Do visit the Library if you are interested in seeing these colourful scores and music hall song sheets.
Visting the Library If you are a member of ZSL, please bring your ZSL membership card when visiting the Library. If you are not a member you will need to show proof of address and photographic ID. Although much of the Library is open access, an appointment is needed to view historic books and archives. Please email library@zsl.org to make an appointment or telephone 02074496293 |
