Object Record
Images
Metadata
Title |
Marine World Africa U.S.A. Jungle Theater Uniform Shirt, c. 1975-1979 |
Object Name |
Shirt |
Description |
Marine World Africa U.S.A. Jungle Theater Uniform Shirt, c. 1975-1979. Olive green polo shirt. Shirt appears to be a men's medium sized polo shirt made out of stretchy fabric. Shirt has three buttons near the top that are made from a yellow plastic. On the upper right side there is a logo: a thin brown ring encircling a printed drawing of the front of an elephant with two monkeys on top of its head and a lions head on it left and a tiger head on its right. The elephant's tucks are disappearing into the lion's and tiger's heads. Underneath the elephant's trunk, and covering the lower portion of the elephant's face, is a large brown oval. Written in the top and bottom portions of the brown ring is "MARINE WORLD / Africa U.S.A." Underneath the logo are the words, "Jungle Theater / STAFF." There is a worn tag on the inside the collar that says "Machine Wash, Warm No Bleach / Tumble Dry Medium Cool Iron / Jantzen (c)." The n in Jantzen is partially covered by a red figure that appears to be falling or diving. |
Date |
c. 1975-1979 |
Creator |
Marine World/Africa U.S.A |
Role |
Designer |
Catalog Number |
2017.025.002 |
Dimensions |
H-26.75 W-34 inches |
Dimension Details |
26.75 x 34 (measured flat; height from top of collar to bottom of the shirt; width measured from tips of sleeves across. |
Collection |
3D - Personal Objects |
Inscription Text |
"MARINE WORLD / Africa U.S.A." (printed in large brown ink on front of shirt); "Jungle Theater / STAFF." (printed in brown in large stylized font); ""Machine Wash, Warm No Bleach / Tumble Dry Medium Cool Iron" (sewn in dark almost black small font on black tag inside the collar of the shirt); "Jantzen (c)" (sewn in white in a large font) |
Provenance |
Was given to donor by former Jungle Theater animal keeper John (last name not known) around 2008 when he was moving to Nevada County. |
Notes |
"Construction of Marine World took place between 1966 and 1968. Available topographic surveys indicate that surcharges of two to three feet were placed over some of the old slough areas prior to construction of the animal park. Marine World opened in July 1968. The park was owned and operated by the American Broadcasting Company. Ralph Helfer bought out Marine World in 1972 when it went bankrupt and added a wildlife park and "jungle theater", renaming the park as Marine World/Africa USA. The park moved in 1986 to Vallejo, California, to eventually become Six Flags Discovery Kingdom.[5] The land of the former Marine World/Africa U.S.A. is now occupied by the world headquarters of Oracle Corporation." [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marine_World/Africa_USA 08/18/2017] "... The shirt is original from Jungle Theater where 10 lions and 3 tigers performed their show (Trainers Ron and Roxanne Whitfield). Also 4 elephants (Whitfield's), and chimpanzees were in an alternating show with trainer Dave McPherson. I can still recite ALL their names by heart and hear the voice of Host Steve May. Back in the day, they call the kids like me the "Marine World Brat(s)", which was an endearing term of privilege. We had family-like friendships with Backstage staff and the animals and some just referred to me as the "Lion trainers kid." I was able to feed the elephants a "snack" of a full loaf of French bread and over at the Orca tank, help bucket the fish among other fun duties. At dolphin Stadium, I assisted Commentator Scott Hughes with his comedy routine...many fond memories. ...Marine World was a park where local season pass kids could meet friends and stay all day to watch shows, play in the arcade and go to "whale-of-a-time-world" playground among the passing visitors..." [note from donor dated 8/8/2017] |
Search Terms |
Clothing Costume and Fashion Marine World / Africa U.S.A. Shirts Uniforms Marine World |
Subjects |
Amusement parks Animals Clothing & dress Uniforms |
Credit line |
Courtesy of Teri Bravo |