Walter Rothschild's crew, drawn by zebras
Lord Rothschild's Zebra Carriage (1898): A Victorian Oddity in the Streets of London
This remarkable photograph, taken in 1898, captures the eccentric Lord Walter Rothschild, a member of the renowned banking family and an avid zoologist, riding through London in a carriage drawn not by horses—but by zebras.
Known for his passion for exotic animals and for founding the Tring Zoological Museum, Rothschild aimed to prove that zebras could be domesticated. While not particularly practical for transport, the image became legendary—a blend of science, spectacle, and aristocratic flair. The zebra-drawn carriage rolls past Victorian architecture and gas-lit street lamps, turning heads in the heart of the City of London.
More than a quirky moment, this scene represents a time when curiosity, exploration, and social status collided in extraordinary ways.
📍 London, England
🗓️ Year: 1898
🔎 Suggested tags: Walter Rothschild, zebra carriage, Victorian London, historical oddities, zoological history, eccentric aristocrats, 19th-century photography
📸 Got an unusual photo from the past?
Share it on Oldpik and help us bring forgotten history back to life.
This remarkable photograph, taken in 1898, captures the eccentric Lord Walter Rothschild, a member of the renowned banking family and an avid zoologist, riding through London in a carriage drawn not by horses—but by zebras.
Known for his passion for exotic animals and for founding the Tring Zoological Museum, Rothschild aimed to prove that zebras could be domesticated. While not particularly practical for transport, the image became legendary—a blend of science, spectacle, and aristocratic flair. The zebra-drawn carriage rolls past Victorian architecture and gas-lit street lamps, turning heads in the heart of the City of London.
More than a quirky moment, this scene represents a time when curiosity, exploration, and social status collided in extraordinary ways.
📍 London, England
🗓️ Year: 1898
🔎 Suggested tags: Walter Rothschild, zebra carriage, Victorian London, historical oddities, zoological history, eccentric aristocrats, 19th-century photography
📸 Got an unusual photo from the past?
Share it on Oldpik and help us bring forgotten history back to life.
Adult
Animal
Carriage
Clothing
Hat
Helmet
Horse
Machine
Male
Mammal
Man
Person
Spoke
Transportation
Vehicle
Wildlife
Zebra
Contributed by OldPik on January 6, 2025
Image
You must be logged in to comment on the photos.
Log in
Log in
No comment yet, be the first to comment...