Birdland Zoo Gardens, Bourton-on-the-Water - Penguins - Dixon postcard 1960s

Postcard
• Picture / Image:  Birdland Zoo Gardens, Bourton-on-the-Water, Gloucestershire - Penguins in the Pool
• Publisher:  J Arthur Dixon (SP 116)
• Postally used:  no
• Stamp:  n/a
• Postmark(s):  n/a
• Sent to:  n/a
• Notes / condition: 

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Text from the free encyclopedia WIKIPEDIA may appear below to give a little background information (internal links may not  work) :

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Birdland Park and Gardens, often called Birdland, is a wildlife park in Bourton-on-the-Water, Gloucestershire, England. First opened in 1957, the park moved to its current location in 1989. Birdland originally existed in the 5-acre (2.0 ha) grounds of a Tudor manor house called Chardwar and was started by Len Hill, who was often referred to as The Penguin Millionaire.

The park's founder Leonard W. Hill was a bird lover who wanted to open a British bird park. In order to do so Len purchased the Jason Islands which are the most north-western islands in the Falkland Islands and consist of the Grand Jason Island and the Steeple Jason Island. Both islands are uninhabited by humans. The islands were offered to Hill for £10,000 including some sheep bred by the islands' former owner. Eventually Len paid £5,500 without any sheep. Hill made the islands a private home for the rich species of bird life that visited or lived on the islands. Len would go on to provide species from the islands to various wildlife refuges in exchange for different species for Birdland. Though Hill was a successful businessman the purchase of the islands and the costs of the Birdland park took their financial toll. In 1970 Len commissioned a postage stamp by the Jason Island and this helped fund his endeavor. The postage stamp was printed by Harrisons, the British security printer who printed British postage stamps for many years. Beneath the words ‘Conservation Year 1970’ was a portrait of Hill and a picture of Grand and Steeple Islands alongside some Gentoo Penguins. Hill also issued a number of bank notes, purportedly authorized by the Jason Islands. These notes were in five denominations of different sizes and colours. 'Jason Islands' appeared in the top centre, alongside the value (from 50 pence to £20 pounds), Hill's signature and portrait as well as a picture of his beloved bird, the penguin. Birdland is now owned by the Trigg family.

The penguins illustrated on each denomination were: 50 pence (green)–a Humboldt Penguin; 1 pound (purple)–a Jackass Penguin; 5 Pound (red)–a Rockhopper Penguin; 10 pound (blue)–a Gentoo Penguin; and 20 pounds (brown)–a King Penguin. The reverse of each note contained the words ‘Valid until 31 December 1979’. It is not known when the notes were issued but this condition rendered them useless after said date and is commonly used in production of private banknotes.

The Falkland Islands Government took no legal action over the monies as they considered them a private sector initiative and the Government had complete rights to issue monies for all the Falkland Islands.

After Hill's death both Birdland and The Jason Islands were sold by his family. The Jason Islands were purchased by Michael and Judy Steinhardt who in turn donated them to the Wildlife Conservation Society.

type=printed postcards

theme=topographical: british

sub-theme=england

county/ country=gloucestershire

number of items=single

period=1945 - present

postage condition=unposted