Hagenbeck, Carl, 1844-1913 (German animal dealer and trainer)

Balfour states that she is returning Carl Hagenbeck's letter to Ewart. She states she has also written to Lord Stanley in connection with Ewart's hybrids in an attempt to persuade him to purchase them. She also enquires whether, during his experiments, he has noticed if offspring from two different species of horse, with strong markings, hark back to a more ancestral type. She enquires whether the mustang is a descendant of the Spanish horse.

Hagenbeck writes that the Przewalski's stallion with a longer mane than the others is now in the Zoological Gardens, Cincinnati. He is sorry that Ewart lost his Przewalski's horse without having a foal from him, and offers to send him one of his stallions for a year. He hopes to find a customer for Ewart's hybrid Onager and will send Ewart a photograph of his Java pony, which he will have to sell. He will also try to find out where the skin of a mountain zebra can be obtained.

Hagenbeck accepts the three hybrids that he is being offered. He informs Ewart that the skin of the Przewalski's horse was sent to Walter Rothschild, but adds that he has some skins of foals with hooves that he can send him. He is going to track down a zebra-pony hybrid for Ewart born two years previously in Paris, in order that he might purchase it, and also offers Ewart a male zebra from Kilimanjaro.

Hagenbeck offers Ewart £100 for the three hybrids he is selling. He offers Ewart a young Przewalski's horse skin and skeleton. He also has in his possession the skins of some Siberian Ibex which he suggests might be fitting for Ewart's 'museum' (presumably the Natural History collections at the University of Edinburgh). Hagenbeck also mentions that he had bad luck with Ewart's zebra 'Matopo', who was returned to him by a buyer due to a lung condition.

Hagenbeck announces the expected arrival of 19 zebras from Mombassa, and offers a pair to Ewart for £200.

Hagenbeck confirms that the Jardin d'Acclimatation in Paris no longer has the hybrid of the 'Equus hemyonus' and pony in its possession, and that the hybrid zebras and donkeys have been sold to William Jamrach. He enquires after more complete physical details of Ewart's hybrids.

Hagenbeck announces that the hybrids have arrived in Hamburg safely. He states that if Ewart would like them returned then he would sell the large ones for £40 each and the small one for £20. He has concluded that the Ibex skins are not a very good quality and so will send a better variety to him in the Spring.

Hagenbeck states that the British Consul are in the process of purchasing the hybrids 'Brenda' and 'Black Agnes'. He states that he will arrange shipment if Ewart covers costs and liaises with the Consul over prices.

Hagenbeck informs Ewart that the hybrids for the English government left Hamburg in good health, and he expects they will arrive in India in good condition. He states that 'Matopo' (a zebra stallion) is in his possession again (after being returned by a seller) but he has not been able to find a fault with him.