Figure 1.--Surprisingly we note quite a number of images of children photographed holding the animals, including potentially dangerous animals. We have seen quite a number of photographs of boys with lion cubs. The number suggests that this was much more common than in other countries. We wonder if German zoos might have used such photographs as a means of generating additional revenue. Here we see a Hitler Youth boy holding a lion cub in the Berlin Zoo during 1934. Click on the image for a fuller discussion of the scene here and the back of the card.

Over time the clothing worn to zoos has changed. The photographic record provides us many images of children visiting the zoos. People dressed up to visit zoos in the 19th and early-20th century. After World war I dress began to become mnore casual. We see many youth groups visiing the zoos with the boys wearing their uniforms. Here we see a DJ boy ewearing his uniform for a zoo with a great lion cub in 1934 (figure 1). We wonder if German zoos might have used such photographs as a means of generating additional revenue. Perhaps they had a deal with the photographer. We are guessing that this photograph was taken by a zoo photographer and not the boy's father. After World War II we begin to see some of the more casual wear that is toiday standard dress for zoo visits.

Created: 5:30 AM 3/20/2006
Last updated: 6:00 AM 2/16/2010