Without perforation.
The stamp “Animal trainer V. L. Durov” from the series “70 Years of the Soviet Circus” was issued on August 22, 1989. Print run: 6,000,000 copies. Artist: M. Lukyanov.
Russian clown and animal trainer, creator of a new school of training and founder of a circus-artist dynasty, Vladimir Leonidovich Durov was born on July 7 (June 25, Old Style) 1863 in Moscow into a noble family.
Left without parents at an early age, Durov, together with his younger brother, was raised in the family of his godfather, Nikolai Zakharov. In 1873 the brothers were enrolled in a military gymnasium. However, they were not interested in a military career, since from an early age they were fascinated by the circus. Vladimir Durov was expelled from the fourth year of the gymnasium; his brother even earlier, for “rowdy behavior.” Later the boys studied at Krestovozdvizhensky’s private boarding school, from which they repeatedly ran away to fairground show booths, and they continued to dream of the circus.
In 1879 Vladimir Durov studied at the Moscow boarding school of educator Dmitry Tikhomirov, successfully passed the exam for a teaching qualification, worked as a teacher at the Moscow City School on Pokrovka, and then for some time in the Public Decency Board on Voskresenskaya Square. When the board was abolished, he returned to the circus.
In 1883 Durov joined Hugo Winkler’s circus menagerie, located in Moscow on Tsvetnoy Boulevard. There he worked as a watchman and an assistant trainer. Durov observed animal behavior and concluded that training should make use of animals’ natural skills. At Winkler’s menagerie he began performing as a trainer with the dog Bishka, the goat Byashka, rats, and guinea pigs. Vladimir Durov devoted much effort to self-education and, as an auditor, attended lectures by the outstanding physiologist Ivan Sechenov.
After touring in Moscow in 1884, Durov joined the Bezano circus, with which he traveled across most of Russia. He became increasingly absorbed in animal training. Durov had two pelicans, which he taught to turn the pages of a book and to dance a waltz. Before him, no one had tried to train these birds.
From 1887 he performed as a clown-trainer and satirist at Albert Salamonsky’s circus and in provincial circuses.
Already a famous clown, Vladimir Durov bought a house with a garden and a stable in Moscow on Staraya Bozhedomka Street (now Durov Street) and on January 8, 1912 (December 26, 1911, Old Style) opened “Durov’s Corner.” Until the end of his life Durov did not leave the circus ring, continued performing at “Durov’s Corner,” and carried out scientific work.
Vladimir Durov died on August 3, 1934 in Moscow and was buried at Novodevichy Cemetery.