You couldn't make it up
And I didn't. For anyone who doesn't listen to podcast: I have become fascinated by a not-for-sale rhino that sits atop a shelf at a key-cutting/watch repair concession at Vauxhall overground station in South London. It made me laugh that the rhino was seemingly put there for decoration but had to have the handwritten RHINO NOT FOR SALE sign put in front of it, thus ruining the decorative look of the statue. I cling to the idea that so many people must have gone in there to have a key cut or a watch battery fitted and asked how much the rhino was, the poor harassed owner had to make and erect the sign. The RHINO NOT FOR SALE sign disappeared for a while, which made me wonder if the owner felt the signage had done its job and risked taking it down, or else the rhino had actually suddenly gone on sale. However, the recent return of the RHINO NOT FOR SALE sign - a slightly smaller, less obtrusive one, actually - suggests customers have started asking about it again. Ah, the gentle, large-mammal-based soap opera of real life. Thanks so much to Andy McH for hearing my plea on the podcast and going out on South London safari to bag a snapshot. If AA Gill had done it, he would no doubt have shot the rhino, to see what if felt like.Of course, Richard thinks people should go in the shop and ask how much the RHINO NOT FOR SALE sign costs, so that the owner will have to make a RHINO NOT FOR SALE SIGN NOT FOR SALE. He is a professional comedian.
PS: Update. Our nerds are dangerous people. What would happen if they used their powers for evil?
posted by Andrew Collins @ 11:57 PM
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17 Comments:
Perhaps it's a political statement about ivory?
Ha, the sign has returned. Do you think the owner is just proud of the rhino?
Perhaps he aspires to own a real one someday...
This is exactly what I needed at 4.44 in the morning. It is what it's all about.
I'm disappointed now, when I saw the picture I thought you might have convinced the owner and bought it yourself!
Rhino horn isn't made from ivory, it's made of matted hair..
I go through Vauxhall Tube station at least three times a week and I've never ever seen it. I'll be looking out for it now.
It's the overground station, F-C. If you have a Travelcard, just pop in and have a look. A photo of it "in situ" with the shop around it would be most appreciated, too, kids!
My girlfriend gets the train in and out of Vauxhall every day. Trying to persuade her to take a photo for you.
A-ha, I feel a campaign coming on! Where can I buy my 'Rhino Not For Sale' t-shirt?
I really hope the second sign is allowed to stay. I shall check on Thursday.
That is not how I imagined the scene at all, I thought it would be much less rhino-like. The picture in my mind was much more fantastical.
Ticko
It must be frustrating when you've gone to such lengths to make the place look nice and people only notice one thing.
If the "'Rhino not for sale' sign not for sale" sign has vanished when I check again this afternoon, I presume we should take it as read that the 'Rhino not for sale' sign IS now for sale ?
Cue people asking for the cost of the " "Rhino not for sale" sign not for sale" sign. This could go on forever.
I don't understand.
Why would anyone want to buy a rhino not for sale sign not for sale sign?
What possible practical application could it have beyond its current use? Unless, of course, the purchaser also owns a rhino, is sick to the back teeth of endless enquiries about the vending of said artifact, has erected a rhino not for sale sign, and now requires his own rhino not for sale sign not for sale sign in order to discourage sales enquiries for the sign.
Far too much of a coincidence in my view.
Come on. Let's have a little common sense.
On the other hand, could the periodic disappearance and reappearance of the signs be some kind of code? A dead letter drop for suicide bombers or militant environmental activists, perhaps?
This should be investigated immediately.
"... Unless, of course, the purchaser also owns a rhino, is sick to the back teeth of endless enquiries about the vending of said artifact, has erected a rhino not for sale sign, and now requires his own rhino not for sale sign not for sale sign in order to discourage sales enquiries for the sign."
That's EXACTLY it. Simple really.
Was in Kennington at the weekend an made a pilgrimage to see the Rhino. Suddenly got nervous when I got in there in case the owner was onto me. He asked what I wanted and I quickly grabbed a keyring and paid for it. Saw the Rhino on the way out and was walking down the tunnel laughing to myself and the owner ran up behind me to give me a fiver which I had dropped in haste.
The Rhino was unprotected, someone could have gone in at any time and bought it from under his nose.
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