ANVERS. Action de F100. black, buff, gold. #450. No 1080. Most picturesque piece, with border of some of the animals in the zoo - lots of action! The Antwerp zoo is one of Europe's oldest, ranking only after London, Paris & Amsterdam. It was founded in 1843, on the initiative of Jacques Kets, a natural scientist, who had already a collection of animals at his house. He owned a piece of land outside the city walls, and the zoo was established there. On 21 July 1843, J. François-Loos, alderman and, later, burgomaster, of Antwerp, who had a great interest in the idea of founding a zoo, formed a Société Civile - Zoologie, to acquire the land from Kets, and also the collection of animals. The company was under sponsorship of King Leopold I. Kets was one of the first directors. The zoo expanded tooffer pleasure-gardens, and, in the 1880s, a panorama. The zoo is still on the same site, by the Central Station, today. Shareholders had the right to enter the zoo free, on showing their share, so the shares were always being unfolded and re-folded. The splits have been repaired. In above average condition. The lot includes an old business card of Director (and founder) Jacques Kets.