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Crystal Palace Dinos

@cpdinosaurs.bsky.social

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🦖 Friends of Crystal Palace Dinosaurs (charity no. 1165231) Since 2013, promoting the long-term conservation of the Victorian palaeontological statues and the larger Geological Court at Crystal Palace Park 📧 [email protected] https://linktr.ee/

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Crystal Palace Dinos @cpdinosaurs.bsky.social · May 7

🚨 IMPORTANT 🚨

The Crystal Palace Park Trust have a new updates page for the Regeneration Plan for the park
www.crystalpalaceparktrust.org/pages/park-r...

To summarise, contractors will begin setting up in the park on May 19th, and it is likely that restoration work will begin shortly after

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cartoon illustration, from the webpage, showing Crystal Palace Park and displaying some of the areas of regeneration, including the dinos

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Mark Witton @markwitton.bsky.social · 2h

Why look: a box of some sort of newish, bookish things arrived this morning. Seems to be about spinosaurid #dinosaurs... coauthored with @davehone.bsky.social... and published by Bloomsbury. Available 6th of November In the UK; then worldwide in early 2026.

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Crystal Palace Dinos @cpdinosaurs.bsky.social · 17h

A flashback to one of our favourite photos, taken during conservation work on the standing Iguanodon back in 2015, by Lynn Hilton❤️💚

(www.lynnhilton.com)

Colour photo. Closeup of the side face of the standing Iguanodon - a fresh pastel spearmint coat of paint. The dirty fingers of a conservator are poking through fresh white teeth

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Crystal Palace Dinos @cpdinosaurs.bsky.social · 1d

The models have been on display at the Martorell Exhibitions Centre. Not sure if this is a permanent exhibition(?)

Thanks again to @dr-squiddy.bsky.social for sending these

bsky.app/profile/dr-s...

Squiddy (eldritch horror beyond comprehension) @dr-squiddy.bsky.social · Apr 28

Please enjoy this model #Tyrannosaurus from the early 1900s, maybe a relation of @cpdinosaurs.bsky.social?
He's one of twelve, so more to come.

Honestly just the worst Tyrannosaurus. He has spikes down his back, weird feet with claws pointing in all directions and buff forearms. He's chomping a big hunk of meat.

Crystal Palace Dinos @cpdinosaurs.bsky.social · 1d

A very good morning from this unimpressed glyptodon model - which was to be one of twelve real scale sculptures in Ciutadella Park, Barcelona.

Only a mammoth was completed before the project ended in 1910

(All the models are here:
mdc.csuc.cat/digital/coll...)

black and white photo. Close-up of a model glyptodon head. it has quite the facial expression

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James Pascoe @jamespascoe.bsky.social · 2d

They really did choose some truly iconic artwork for this book, and I think this would be my first ever encounter of the fabled @cpdinosaurs.bsky.social since my copy is from 1988 and I’d only been alive a few years at that point 😅 Some truly beautiful vintage Palaeoart on display here

Pterosaurs restored with bat like wings flying above a gorgeous landscape. Check out the rays of the sun and those ferns

Megalosaurus looking a little leaner than its usual representation and again a stunning and detailed landscape

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Crystal Palace Dinos @cpdinosaurs.bsky.social · 6d

(2.5km)

Crystal Palace Dinos @cpdinosaurs.bsky.social · 6d

Adventures with a new birding scope!

The very top of the Crystal Palace transmitting station - the highest point in London (thanks to the 109m hill it is on)

Taken from 2.5lm away. 75x zoom, with 6x phone camera zoom

Birds do occasionally chill up there, but haven’t managed to line up a shot yet

Very zoomed in phone shot of the tip of a radio transmitter tower. A grey ribbed cylinder ends with a mesh of black metal

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Richard Fallon @richardfallon.bsky.social · 6d

A literary Iguanodon at the Earth Sciences Library. Do any other libraries have dinosaurs or other antediluvian creatures carved into the furniture?

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Crystal Palace Dinos @cpdinosaurs.bsky.social · 11d

The amazing @jedtaylorartist.bsky.social did this, “Jurassic Park 1854”, many years ago 👌

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Crystal Palace Dinos @cpdinosaurs.bsky.social · 11d

“Do not all these beings who preceded man and who are emerging from their tombs today seem like monsters?

Yet they are connected to us by original bonds”

Translated from “Le monde avant la création de l'homme” (The world before the creation of humankind), by Camille Flammarion. Art by Georges Devy

Black and white book illustrations. Various antediluvian reptiles (and glyptodonts), many of them Crystal Palace-inspired, are emerging from a cave directly toward the viewer

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Natalia Jagielska @nataliajagielska.bsky.social · 15d

The spectacularly produced new art book, Mesozoic Art II, hit the shelves! I happen to be one of the artists featured in the line-up of fantastic people who bring the dead back to life! A great opportunity to talk about my creative journey 🧵

Selection of drawings of dinosaurs and pterosaurs and kin in a mosaic with cover of the Mesozic Art 2

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Crystal Palace Dinos @cpdinosaurs.bsky.social · 15d

We were thinking this could have been the world’s first bouncy castle - which would have blown Edwardian minds - but we were only gifted them in 1959!

Crystal Palace Dinos @cpdinosaurs.bsky.social · 15d

At least he knew they were there - we’ve heard stories of parents taking their kids to Hyde Park or Regents Park..

Crystal Palace Dinos @cpdinosaurs.bsky.social · 15d

Source:

kura.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/digital/coll...

AWNS-19240417-47-04

Showing two children looking into the mouth of a model of a prehistoric animal. The collection of models of antedeluvian monsters on an island in the grounds of the Crystal Palace has now been extract...

kura.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz

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Crystal Palace Dinos @cpdinosaurs.bsky.social · 15d

Articles or photos that reference the condition of the Crystal Palace Dinos before 1950 are quite rare.

The caption on this photo, dated as 1924, refers them being “extracted from the mud”, which could imply a period of time where the lake also needed some attention..

Black and white scanned newspaper photo . A smartly dressed boy and girl study a fresh looking Crystal Palace Mosasaurus. The lake water level appears non-existent. The caption:

“The collection of models of antediluvian monsters on an island in the grounds of the Crystal Palace has now been extracted from the mud and renovated. Teeth and claws have been sharpened, eyes painted, and everything done to make them as attractive as possible.”

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Crystal Palace Dinos @cpdinosaurs.bsky.social · 18d

“The Antediluvians recognize an old acquaintance”

This cartoon appeared in Punch magazine, 27/07/1861 - linking the old age of our Dino friends with the previous appearances of the “Great Comet of 1861”

The comet is now designated C/1861 J1, and is due to return in 2267 so…see you then, yeah??

Black and white cartoon. The Crystal Palace Hylaeosaurus, on the edge of the lake, is looking up through a brass-looking telescope mounted on a curvaceous tripod on the back. Behind it, a Teleosaurus is holding a telescope, and the standing Iguanodon is looking up in the distance. Their focus is on a comet, heavily stylised with a grinning face. The caption reads: “The Age of the Comet ascertained to a Nicety. The Antediluvians Recognise an Old Acquaintance of A.M. 1372.”

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Dr Dave Hone @davehone.bsky.social · 20d

Due to some dreadful admin error we accidentally had @tetzoo.bsky.social join us on this episode of #TerribleLizards talking about marine reptiles in all their semi-aquatic and aquatic glory. terriblelizards.libsyn.com/tls11e09-anc...

Terrible Lizards: TLS11E09 Ancient Sea Reptiles

Long time listener and second time guest Darren Naish joins us to talk about marine reptiles. While Darren is best known for his work on dinosaurs and pterosaurs, he has fingers in a huge number of ve...

terriblelizards.libsyn.com

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Crystal Palace Dinos @cpdinosaurs.bsky.social · 22d

(We understand that it could be nursery rhyme bouncing/“knee-bobbing”-related. Or turkey related. Or hobgoblin related. Hopefully it was a combo of all of these 🤪)

Crystal Palace Dinos @cpdinosaurs.bsky.social · 22d

We undertake lots of serious historical research, but this may be the most important of all:

what in the *blue hell* was the “Hobbledeegobbledeecastle” in the Crystal Palace North Tower Gardens? Even this 1910 programme doesn’t know

(The one from 1908 simply calls it “The funniest thing on earth”)

“NORTH TOWER GARDENS.
THE FAIRY ARCHIPELAGO.
The Water Chute.-The Largest Water Chute
on Earth. Each Run, 6d.
The Water Rapids.-A Thrilling Trip through
Foaming Torrents.
Electric Canoes.-A Voyage on the Lake through the Marvellous Grottoes and Caves of the Fairy Archipelago. Each Trip, 3d.
The Human Laundry. - The Newest and Latest Amusement to be introduced in England to Laundry you complete by a Novel and Amusing Process, full of Mirth and Merriment.
Helter Skelter. - The most Delightful and
Fascinating Aerial Slip known.
Glass Blowers.—A most interesting Exhibition of Glass Blowing. Articles of all descriptions made while you wait. Always at work.
Pell Mell.-The Confusing Stairway.
Rifle Range.-The Archipelago Miniature Bisley.
Egyptian Maze.-An Amazing Maze combined
with fun and laughter.
Haunted Swing.-The Latest Parisian Novelty.
Hobbledeegobbledeecastie.-What is it?
Palmistry and Phrenology by Mrs. ALICE LEE (a descendant of the World-famed Gipsy
Lee ).
Parisian
Pleasure Fair,
Roundabouts,
Swings, and Games.
HYATT'S Juvenile
Roundabout and
Crystal Palace Riding School, Swings, Houp-La, and other Popular and Up-to-Date Sporting Games.”

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Crystal Palace Dinos @cpdinosaurs.bsky.social · 23d

🚨 PARK UPDATE 🚨

Good morning everyone. Please note that the lower path along the Sedondary/reptile island is now CLOSED

The upper path is still open. From here there are restricted views of some of the sculptures, with restoration work v much underway.

The paths around the mammals are still open

Colour photo. Orange fencing on a sunny morning, a banner with a cartoon dinosaur and company/council logos proclaims “The park is having a makeover”

Orange fencing blocking off the path down to the main dinosaur viewing area

view from across the upper lake. The standing Iguanodon’s lower half has been cleaned/treated

The Megatherium blocking out the rising sun

Reposted by Crystal Palace Dinos

Darren Naish @tetzoo.bsky.social · 26d

Mesozoic Art II - edited by @sharkbitesteve.bsky.social and myself and featuring the incredible work of 25 cutting-edge palaeoartists - is out in just a few days. The ultimate must-have book on modern #palaeoart / #paleoart. Buy yours now ... www.bloomsbury.com/uk/mesozoic-... #books #dinosaurs

Mesozoic Art II

Following on from the hugely popular Mesozoic Art, this magnificent new volume showcases 25 amazing artists whose work represents the very best of palaeoart.Our…

www.bloomsbury.com

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Crystal Palace Dinos @cpdinosaurs.bsky.social · 26d

This is a fantastic (and rare) photo of the Megalosaurus in it’s red paint scheme, which lasted from the 1970s through to 1982/3

Note the harsh contrast between the red and the green tones of accumulated dirt, moss, algae etc

Rafasith @rafasith.bsky.social · 28d

Mi afición por visitar lugares poco frecuentados me llevó en 1981 a visitar Cristal Palace en las afueras de Londres.
Había conocido el lugar gracias al programa de divulgación de TVE ¿Un mundo féliz? que presentaba Felipe Mellizo.
El megalosaurio que allí vi está ahora en Lego Ideas.

Estatua de Megalosaurio de Cristal Palace en Londres.

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Penge History Group @pengehistorygroup.bsky.social · 26d

Hello Bluesky! We're an enthusiastic bunch of folks in south-east London delving into the history of Penge, as well as sharing our love of all things historical. Find us at pengehistorygroup.co.uk as well as on Eventbrite www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/penge-hist...

Penge History Group – Local history from our corner of South East London

pengehistorygroup.co.uk

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Crystal Palace Dinos @cpdinosaurs.bsky.social · 27d

These are Anoplotherium. Very unassuming, compared to the other creatures, but hugely important in the blossoming science of palaeontology.

These are also the first sculptures that are being restored. If you go back and see them, they may be wearing jackets!

Crystal Palace Dinos @cpdinosaurs.bsky.social · 27d

Good evening to all Lego-related new followers 👋

Actual bricks played a major part in the construction of the sculptures. The smaller ones had a solid brickwork core, and the four largest dinosaur ones were hollow:

Crystal Palace Dinos @cpdinosaurs.bsky.social · Mar 11

A recipe for a Victorian standing Iguanodon:

4x iron columns, 9 feet long by 7 inches diameter [the legs]
600 bricks
650 5-inch half-round drain-tiles
900 plain tiles
38 casks of cement
90 casks of broken stone
100 feet of iron-hooping
20 feet of cube inch bar

(cpdinosaurs.org/blog/post/ho...)

colour photo looking within and down the standing Iguanodon! a man is partially kneeling in the darkness, facing the "wall", consisting of cemented bricks and tiles. a torch is in front of him and pointing up at the area that he is drilling, with a VERY long bit. thin metal poles criss-cross the inside

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