Known as the Lion King, Isaac Van Amburgh (1800-65) was an animal trainer, renowned for putting his head into animals’ mouths.
In 1838, Van Amburg was scheduled to ascend in Charles Green’s balloon with a full-grown Bengal tiger, however the show was cancelled due to fears for the spectators’ safety. He didn’t perform at the Gardens until 1848, ten years after his proposed debut, wowing audiences as one of the first lion tamers to ever place their bare arms – and head – inside the jaws of a wild cat. Van Amburgh travelled across Europe, esteemed by Queen Victoria. Although he gave only a few performances at Vauxhall, his legacy lives on in the circus world.
Are you brave enough to put your head inside a lion’s mouth? Put yourself in Van Amburgh’s shoes with this fun selfie filter. Don’t forget to strike a pose as you relive the American animal trainer’s daring trick!