It has been a while since my last post; however, this week I came across a vintage bronze-coloured badge for The Zoological Society of Scotland, marked on the back with Life Fellow Token No. 343.
Having started my career in a zoo and still being involved in conservation through my current role, quirky zoological memorabilia always grabs my attention. Over the years, I’ve built up quite a collection from a vintage embroidered ZSL keepers' uniform and cap to original Chessington Zoo & Circus posters, which are now framed and proudly displayed on our walls at home. Anyway, back to the token before I digress too much…
The token features a suspension loop, presumably for a Fellow to wear proudly on visits, and measures approximately 3cm in diameter. I would love to know the specific history of this particular medal. So far, I’ve been unable to locate detailed information, but I did find that the University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections holds RZSS Fellowship Papers from 1908-1980 (ID: Coll-2099/7), which would be worth investigating one day.
In 1916, the annual report of the Council of the Zoological Society of Scotland was published in the Glasgow Herald on Friday 26 May 1916, which reported the state of the Fellowship Roll as: Honorary Fellows, 7; Life Fellows, 376; Fellows, 1,930; Corresponding Members 5. It went on to note that 79 new Fellows were admitted during the year, compared with 279 in the previous 12 months, and that 72 resignations had taken place due to the effect of the war.
In my digging, I have since uncovered five other similar ZSS Fellow Tokens, one earlier and four later, of which two are now held in museums:
Location: University of Edinburgh Archive and Manuscript Collections
Collection ID: Coll-14/1/17
Details of fellow: James Cossar Ewart (1851–1933), zoologist and professor of natural history, University of Edinburgh.
Notes: Token obverse shows an embossed gannet with wings raised and the inscription ‘The Zoological Society of Scotland’ around the border. The reverse reads ‘Life Fellows / Token / No. 77.’ The token is fitted with a blue ribbon for wearing. Not dated on medal, but records show J.C.E. applied to become a Life Fellow in July 1914.
ZSS Life Fellows Token No. 482
Location: Private Collection
Collection ID: N/A
Collection ID: N/A
Details of fellow: Unknown
Notes: Purchased at auction by a zoo professional and gifted to a current RZSS fellow.
ZSS Life Fellows Token No. 523
ZSS Life Fellows Token No. 565
Location: British Museum
Collection ID: 2019,4040.53
Collection ID: 2019,4040.53
Details of fellow: Unknown
Notes: No further information available.
Location: Private collection
Collection ID: N/A
Collection ID: N/A
Details of fellow: Unknown
Notes: Purchased at auction, no further information available on history.
Location: Unknown
Collection ID: N/A
Details of fellow: Unknown
Notes: Scottish Zoological Society Life Fellows Medal (No. 748) with ribbon and wearing pin on reverse. Sold by Bonhams, Knightsbridge on 8th July 2015 as part of a large collection of various tokens and medals belonging to the late John Pattullo Mackie Whyte.
I’ll continue looking into the history behind this intriguing token. If anyone reading happens to know more about them or has come across similar items, I would love to hear from you! Email me
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