How this collection was born

How did I come to the idea ?

A collection of Elephant's objects: funny idea, why?

but why not ?

As far as I can remember, the coming of the circus Knie in Nyon town between Geneva and Lausanne, and close to my village, was the event that I expected each year at the same time, end of September

There was, among all animals, a large tent with 5 or 6 elephants one of them, a baby, from African origin. The others were all Asian, including great SIAM which later ended his days at the zoo in Vincennes. Books, films, stories were devoted to him. It now stands in the Natural History Museum of the Trocadero in Paris. It was actually my contemporary ... From that time I spent endless time for a little boy, fascinated by these giant beasts and peaceful at first sight

A true moment of happiness. I loved the smells, sounds, murmurs of animals between them and occasionally heard an order either from is trainer or members of the Knie dynasty

Over the years, the ritual of the visit under the tent continued. The parade in the streets, bathing in the lake, the feast, everything was magical

Then came the time of trips to Africa and encounter with often dangerous solitary beaths or herds in the savannah. The charm was no longer the same but the ever present fascination was still alive, despite the fear that inspired me these huge beasts with their youngsters

I found myself one day on the slopes of Kenya or South Africa surrounded by a huge herd of mothers and their children which were blocking the passage, in front and behind the car. Long minutes... Moments of intense crispassions because several huge elephants approached the car to see if there were dangerous humans in this strange obstacle

We remained completely silent and motionless, windows closed until the passage of the last elephants. Unforgettable moments

The vagaries of life led me to the mid-90s to the Kingdom of Siam, elephant country "par excellence". I rediscovered there, the fascinating Asian elephants. They are smaller, with a more pacific character than the African cousins, especially the domesticated ones. But always beware of the wild ones and males

Not a day passed without encountering one or the other of these poor creatures pacing the asphalt of the streets of Bangkok in search of food, exploited by their mahouts who rented the animals to wealthy owners. Abuse, multiple accidents with either vehicle or because of random lining the streets left me pensive, knowing that this animal is sacred in this country. Was it possible to treat them like this ?

I would later discover many other horrors

Established in this country, I travled over the four cardinal points and thereby met a quantity of elephants, some wildlife in reserves, others working in fields or even begging in the streets

I was fortunate to visit a baby elephant, born neart my home . Juliana was her name because she was born near to a well known place for male pleasures of the same name

Its owner being Kui of origin, a tribe living North East of Thailand and specialized in capture of wild elephants for centuries lived in the village of Ban Tha Klang Elephant near Surin. After a few weerks, mother and daughter were repatriated to the village

This gave me the chance to go over there, meet the little wonder, the inhabitants, as well as chickens, pigs, buffalo, and other dogs, and ...an elephant, all this noah's arch living under the same roof in peace

I spent hours with Juliana, playing with her like a child. How wonderful and what wonderful memories

I also discovered the elephant festival in Surin or annual Round Up

Three days during which up to 250 elephants gather for competitions, shows and other events. Awesome!

I attended this event several years. I also visited Chiang Mai and the North, kingdom of elephantsde. During my visits I began to acquire some carved pieces depicting scenes of life with elephants. at very reasonable prices, but the virus was released, my acute collectionnite took over. Since my youth I had built huge collections of various subjects, wound up abruptly and then following my departure from Switzerland to other horizons, the idea and love of collecting elephants came naturally

I was at the source recess to unearth some wonderful pieces but still in very reasonable price limits

Before leaving Thailand for Switzerland, I lived one last painful experience: a visit to the elephant hospital in Lampang on the road to Chiang Mai

I saw horrors, burst feet on mine towards Burma, abuse, prematures, orphans, short, miracle's yard for elephants. Often the tears flowed from my saddened eyes, as they also ran from elephant's eyes, suffering

The most famous resident was first "Motala" which made the world's headlines and required the arrival of eight surgeons from around the world to try to repair her foot, completely shredded and finally realize a prosthesis. It was the first time that such an intervention took place successfully. I saw her several times, suspended in a harness so hers foot did not touch the ground

Today she runs a quiet life without too many problems. Great surgeons who put all their heart to save this beautiful elephant

That in a nutshell how passionately I started a collection that today took a huge importance and will not stop before the end of my life

I hope you will have enjoyed reading this story of a life whichturned towards these animals so endearing, so smart and so beautiful

Good visit to the various topics that continue to grow

A page of my life turns

A page of Knie's circus life turns

Long before my birth, Knie had built his reputation with a troop of elephants, 6-7 - present year after year in all shows

From my birth he was the tradition (nearly 70 years) to see these magnificent beasts with a young African elephant, SIAM for a few years, which amazed the spectators and especially my young eyes

During 2015, the management announced that circus elephants made their last appearance in the tent and next year they would remain at the zoo at Raperswill circus

No more elephants, a page turns!

Rest peacfuly dear elephants

The last traditional bath in Lake Geneva took place in recent days in Lausanne. I put online the photos published in the newspapers in order to honor them

A website for my collection, why ?

Over the time I have accumulated impressive quantities of objects of all kinds, of any material, from all backgrounds, not letting any object aside

Anything which can be representing an elephant, animal or printed or unusual is part of this collection

Two requirements established themselves early on, over 20 years

no ivory objects and objects not at unreasonable prices. The other requirements were and are: the less expensive possible and as many as possible without any restriction

Museum pieces or antiques do not interest me

This collection is made of 90% in the flea markets of many countries, small village fairs as well as sales sites such Delcampe

e Bay or Ricardo or Colnect with its multiple exchanges. Never antique shows

Given the breadth and diversity of this collection I wondered for quite some time how my findings as surprising or exceptional they are could be displayed for "amateurs"

When buying on Delcampe, a seller contacted me and suggested I get interested in Wifeo, the site to build a free personal website

Being resistant to all IT maneuvers, he offered to guide me, to help me, to participate in in the birth of this site you see today and which grows progressively by adding new sections

and of course items

Without the help of Eric, himself the creator of the website dedicated to motorcycle "Motophilatéliste" on Wifeo, I would have never had neither the capacity nor the courage to start

I owe him a big thank you and a great appreciation for the patience he has shown during these difficult weeks

Thank you Eric, the result is before you. I hope you like it, you will find objects that no one could have imagined and which are the ones I am looking for first

Presumably almost everthing was produced with and on elephants, but I am sure I may find many more, it does not "TROMPE", so please have a regular glance it the site. It will be the good occasion to return "IVOIRE"