A.J.Armitstead

Taxidermy4Cash.com

Darlington based taxidermist.

We are always very interested in Purchasing Victorian Taxidermy, please respond via this on-line form of what you have for sale. HERE

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Tony Armitstead and family. Everyone mucks in to create the cases that you see on this site. The specimens as you can see abound in the workshop. Tony has made a move to concentrate on the cased specimens with watercolour backgrounds. The imagry below provides an indication as to the work produced from this studio.

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Rainbow Trout . This fish was preserved and mounted by Tony Armitstead and then sent back to its owner, Mr Lawson. The fish weighed in at approximately 33lbs 4ozs. This fish is still the Brtish Record for the species. This image was taken at the time of capture at Watercress fishery, Chudliegh, Devon. Just to show that there are future cases currently being made that record in the same manner the fishermen of old.

Peregrine Falcons with nest eggs and chick by AJ Armitstead .

Peregrine Falcons with nest eggs and chick by AJ Armitstead .

Full adult Cuckoo. This is an early case.

Woodcock by Tony .

Whimiscal case from a famous rhyme by Tony . Oh yes and another winter church.

Wyrnecks by Tony.

Waxwing by Tony Artmitstead.
A much celebrated modern taxidermist created these for a drink promotion. Not sure what to say, only perhaps they either appeal or they don't. Bit like the junk that Walter Potter created you either love it or hate it. A technical challenge nevertheless.
Fieldfares by Tony Artmitstead.

Fox mask by Tony.

Brown Trout by Tony.

Arctic Hare by AJ Armitstead

Arctic Hare by AJ Armitstead

White tailed Sea Eagle by AJ Armitstead

White tailed Sea Eagle by AJ Armitstead

European Boar by Tony .

European Hare by Tony .

European Hen Harrier by Tony .

European Hen Harrier by Tony .

Snowy Owls, eggs and chicks by AJ Armitstead. Modern case. All birds died of natural causes and the eggs are reproductions.

Snowy Owls, eggs and chicks by AJ Armitstead. Modern case. All birds died of natural causes and the eggs are reproductions.

Snowy Owls, eggs and chicks by AJ Armitstead. Modern case. All birds died of natural causes and the eggs are reproductions.

Little Auks in winter plumage by AJ Armitstead.

Adult male 7 yr old Sea Eagle, died of Septicaemia when introduced to the female last mating season. Female just caused a minor nick to the talon and it introduced the disease. The bird is clutching a Sea Bass. Fantastic case once again produced from this artist.

close up of rock scene for the above case by A.J.Armitstead.

close up of rock scene for the above case, showing taxidermied Sea Bass in greater detail by A.J.Armitstead.

close up of rock scene for the above case by A.J.Armitstead.

Fabulous Pheasant case by A.J.Armitstead. Hey no bridge!!!!!

Megan "press ganged" into working at the studio. Here working on a Capercaille case.

Crossbills by A.J.Armitstead.

Water Rails, nest and eggs by A.J.Armitstead.

Water Rails, nest and eggs by A.J.Armitstead.

Water Rails, nest and eggs by A.J.Armitstead.

Peregrine with Grouse prey by A.J.Armitstead.

Redwing by A.J.Armitstead.

Restored case of Black Headed Gull and chicks by James Gardner of London. Originally this case would have dated from around 1890. This restoration was undertaken by Tony.

Chaffinches by A.J.Armitstead.

Chaffinches by A.J.Armitstead.

Chaffinches by A.J.Armitstead.

Redstarts with nest and eggs by A.J.Armitstead. It is true that Tony may not be the best UK taxidermist, in terms of quality and poses of birds he creates. However combine the quality produced of birds and groundwork combined with the watercolour backgrounds and hand built cases, then few can undertake this to the same level.

Mrs Karen Armitstead, with White Cheeked Beeeaters, dated October 2006

White Cheeked Beeeaters, dated October 2006, the case above in detail.

Peregrines with nest scene by A.J.Armitstead.

Peregrine with Snipe prey by A.J.Armitstead.

Capercailles by A.J.Armitstead.

Blue Tits by A.J.Armitstead.

Snipe in flight by A.J.Armitstead.

Dunnock in close up by A.J.Armitstead.

Robins and nest by A.J.Armitstead.

Robin and chicks by A.J.Armitstead.

Close up of the above case by A.J.Armitstead.

Close up of the above case by A.J.Armitstead.

Goshawk with Red Squirrel prey by A.J.Armitstead.

Ring necked Pheasant by A.J.Armitstead.

Otter with Trout prey by A.J.Armitstead.

Pied Wagtails, nest and eggs by A.J.Armitstead.

Dunnocks, nest and eggs by A.J.Armitstead.

Great Tits by A.J.Armitstead.

Bearded Tits nest and eggs by A.J.Armitstead.

Willow Tits by A.J.Armitstead.

Coal Tits by A.J.Armitstead.

Coal Tits by A.J.Armitstead.

Long tailed Tits by A.J.Armitstead.

Black Redstart by A.J.Armitstead.

Kingfisher by A.J.Armitstead.

Doormouse by A.J.Armitstead.

Red Kite with Rabbit prey by A.J.Armitstead.

Fantastic Gyr Falcon with Ptarmigan prey in full winter plumage. The taxidermy re-creation was undertaken by A.J. Armitstead. Original watercolour background by Tony also to complete the scene. By the way the additional Ptarmigan that he has are not for sale or to be gifted, just in case anyone wishes to ask..

Brook Trout by A.J.Armitstead.

European Crossbills in a pictureframe case.

European Barn Owl in a pictureframe case.

European female Montague's Harrier in a pictureframe case.

European female Hen Harrier in a pictureframe case.

European Montague's Harrier in a pictureframe case.

European Sparrow Hawk in a pictureframe case.

European Kestrel in a pictureframe case.

European Short Eared Owl in a pictureframe case.

European Snowy Owl in a pictureframe case.

European Redwing in octagonal case.

European Redwing in octagonal case in close up. Yet another quality case.

European Merlins

European Hobby

European Green Woodpecker. Take time to look at the watercolour in the background. Let us also know if you know of a modern taxidermist producing similar work, not just the taxidermy, but the entire case. We will feature them.

Work in progress

Gyr Falcon in progress.

Peregrine Falcon chick about 11 days old.

Female Scottish Crossbill in progress.

European Robins, nest and eggs

European Robins, nest and eggs

European Dunnocks, nest and eggs

European male Peregrine Falcon

European Stoat in winter phase

English Partridges

Red Legged Partridges

Fox head in detail, truly antiques of the future

Fox head in detail, truly antiques of the future

Black Headed Gulls, nest eggs and chicks dated November 2006. More detailed appraisal is further down on this page. These birds are not for sale.

Black Headed Gulls, nest eggs and chicks in detail, by A.J.Armitstead dated November 2006. More detailed appraisal is further down on this page. These birds are not for sale. The eggs are reproductions by the way, created by the talented Mr G Axon.

European Lapwing chick and eggs in close up by Tony Armitstead. Yet another quality case..
European Lapwing chick and eggs in close up by Tony Armitstead. Yet another quality case, and never for sale as we are collectors..

Peregrine Falcon with eggs in detail

Peregrine Falcon with eggs in detail

Greenshank dated August 2006

House Martins dated November 2006

Common Buzzard, undertaken sometime in the early 1990's

European Peregrines, dated November 2006.

European Buzzard, dated November 2006.

European Stoat in Ermin by Tony Armitstead. Yet another quality case..

European Pheasant, dated October 2006.

Mr A J Armitstead (Tony)

Mr Tony Armitstead

Even the Armitstead girls get roped in!!!!!!.This is Holly

Even the Armitstead girls get roped in!!!!!!. This is Megan. Apologies Tony for cropping this image but had no desire to show the finished result, as it it not your best work.

If you are interested in the work produced by this Taxidermist, please respond via this on-line form Here .

We get asked to recommend Bird Taxidermists in the UK and America. This taxidermist produces modern creations utlising many of the design features and case building techniques created by the Victorian Taxidermists. This taxidermy art form has changed little over the years. Preservation techniques in terms of the use of chemicals has changed and groundwork has become more realistic. Apart from that the taxidermy techniques used 150 years ago are still relevant today.
Tony Armitstead mounted his first specimen of taxidermy at the age of seven, producing a blackbird, which he still has today, some 37 years later he is producing works that are highly valued and collected. Perhaps this work will increase with time given the effort and level of detail in each case. His company was established in 1971 in Darlington, County Durham. Victorian and Edwardian Taxidermy is also restored to high standards at his premises, but his specialty has to be birds in picture-frame case with hand painted watercolour backgrounds.The taxidermy is done in the style of Peter Spicer a (Victorian taxidermist), but mounted and presented and finished in the style of Murray of Carnforth a highly regarded Victorian taxidermist of his day and much sought after now.

European Jays by Tony Armitstead. Yet another quality pictureframe case. A vivid and colourful case..
Kingfisher by Tony Armitstead dated September 2006. This is why his work is sought after. Future antiques, whislt others, well they will be destined for somewhere else we think.
European Long Tailed Tit by Tony Armitstead dated 2006.
Case pending along the same lines as the Black Headed Gulls. How Tony manages to see inspiration in these scribbles and then produces the cases he does is beyond us. Yes its crap but so what.
Male European Eider Duck by Tony Armitstead. Yet another quality pictureframe case. Taxidermy in the UK doesn't get much better than this.

European Grey Hen by A J Armitstead, August 2006.

European Stoat in Ermin by A J Armitstead, complete with hand painted background. Very "early" example of his work.
Redstart on rock by Tony Armitstead dated September 2006.

Female Peregrine by AJ Armitstead showing the bird and picture-frame case.

"Winter Flush" by Tony Armitstead dated 2006. Stand alone watercolour in it's own right. Oh by the way the ink drawings of the Gulls below are mine just incase you were wondering why the quality is not as good.
European Long Tailed Tit by Tony Armitstead dated 1986.

Pair of Lapwings, eggs and chick by A J Armitstead, December 2004.

Modern Shorteared Owl by AJ Armitstead.
Black Headed Gull case in stages
I have always had a passion for creating nest scenes and decided, once informed that Black Headed Gulls so hard to obtain in breeding plumage were available, the basis for this case was formed. Consultation with Tony and my crude attemps at drawing as you can see, resulted in his interpretation of my scrawls into this stunning case. The birds that form this diorama all died of natural causes and came from a breeding colony near Darlington. The eggs are reproductions created by using real eggs from a museum and stock images. The images progress from drawings by me, to watercolour and onwards to the creation of the nest, water effect and of course the birds themselves. The case is a creation of several people, namely, the watercolour and taxidermy gulls by Tony Armitstead. The groundwork and water effect by Karen Armitstead and eggs by Graham Axon and gull chicks by Adrian Johnston. The end result as you can see makes the case somewhat unique, both in subject matter and collaboration. Oh and of course NOT FOR SALE. Oh for those who seek to critise this site and yet still monitor its constant development, drop us a email with a link to your site for comparison. Ummmm thought not!!!!!!!!!!!!. Remember the more you visit the more popular it gets, the more cases we buy.

Modern case of European Black Headed Gulls with nest eggs and chicks, created by 4 separate people. Tony Armitstead the taxidermy Gulls and watercolour, Adrian Johnston the Gull chicks, Graham Axon the Gull eggs and Karen Armitstead the groundwater that pulls the complete piece together . Yes, you guessed it, Not for sale, but stunning all the same. For more on this specific case and other work by this taxidermist then please refer to AJ Armitstead's page below. This case is a matching pair to the Lapwings as a theme of adults, nest chicks and eggs

Sketch interpretation for the Black Headed Gull case, with chicks and eggs. The complete case is pending.

Sketch interpretation for the Black Headed Gull case, with chicks and eggs. The complete case is pending.

Groundwork just taking shape for the Black Headed Gull case, with chicks and eggs. The complete case is pending.

Watercolour background for the Black Headed Gull case. the complete case is pending.

Groundwork just taking shape for the Black Headed Gull case, with chicks and eggs. The complete case is pending. This case will contain two adults chicks and eggs.

Black Headed Gulls in preparation to be placed into a nest scene with eggs and chicks by AJ Armitstead, in a pictureframe case.

Black Headed Gulls in preparation to be placed into a nest scene with eggs and chicks by AJ Armitstead, in a pictureframe case.

Black Headed Gulls nest scene with eggs and chicks by AJ Armitstead, in a pictureframe case. It has been reported that these birds came from a breeding colony at the A66 near "Scotch Corner". Those in England may know of this colony, which is further understood now to be under threat due to road expansion in the area.

Black Headed Gulls nest scene with eggs and chicks by AJ Armitstead, in a pictureframe case.

Black Headed Gull case in close up by AJ Armitstead showing water effect.

Black Headed Gull chick in close up by Adrian Johnston for the above case.

Trade Label for the above case.

Modern Brown Trout by AJ Armitstead.

Blue Tits by Mr Tony Armitstead

Stoat in close up by Mr Tony Armitstead

Pair of Lapwings, eggs and chick by A J Armitstead, December 2004. The detail, as you can see is superb, even down to lapwings flying in the field within the watercolour

Fox cubs in a pictureframe case by Mr Tony Armitstead. Decided to show the picture now it has gone to a better home. Enjoy the book by the way

Red Grouse that is part abberation by Mr Tony Armitstead
Modern case of a Hooded Crow by AJ Armitstead.

European Swallows by Mr Tony Armitstead

European Stoat in close up by Mr Tony Armitstead
European Snipe in close up by Mr Tony Armitstead
European Snipe by Mr Tony Armitstead

Stoat in ermin by Mr Tony Armitstead

Stoat in ermin in close up by Mr Tony Armitstead

Blackbird in pictureframe case by Mr Tony Armitstead

Long Eared Owl dated 1988 in pictureframe case by Mr Tony Armitstead

Little Owl in pictureframe case by Mr Tony Armitstead dated 1983

Tawny Owl in pictureframe case by Mr Tony Armitstead

Great Tit in three sided glass case by Mr Tony Armitstead

European Red Fox Head by Mr Tony Armitstead

European Red Fox Head in detail by Mr Tony Armitstead

Pair of Lapwings, eggs and chick by A J Armitstead, December 2004.

Fishing Mouse by Mr Tony Armitstead. Just a bit of fun but very good attention to detail.
If you have any questions, then please feel free to submit them on the on-line form and we will endeavour to answer them.Tony in our opinion, is about the best in terms of attention to detail, accurate observation of the birds / animals in their natural habitat and the overall structure and balance of the taxidermy cases he produces.

Blue Tits, adult and young by AJ Armitstead, in a pictureframe case. Stunning taxidermy and original watercolour background and fantastic attention to detail on the birds.

Eurasian Whimbrel by AJ Armitstead, in a scientific case. A tribute to his Northen Heritage.

North American Grey Squirrel in close up by Mr Tony Armitstead
Song Thrushes with nest and eggs by Mr Tony Armitstead

European Redwing in Winter scene by AJ Armitstead, in a pictureframe case.

Pair of Lapwings, eggs and chick by A J Armitstead, December 2004. The detail, as you can see is superb, even down to lapwings flying in the field within the watercolour

Complement this with outstanding groundwork by Ms Karen Armitstead and a wonderfully observed watercolour makes this firm of taxidermy, comprable, in our opinion to works produced by Peter Spicer and Rowland Ward. Tony's taxidermy workshop in located in Darlington, in the County of Durham, which is best regarded as Northern England.

A favourite saying from him is "the work will be done this year". A man, clearly, not to be rushed! This page is dedicated to taxidermy work produced by Armitstead and Armitstead. We hope you enjoy it.

Peregrine Falcons by AJ Armitstead. Simply Stunning, in a pictureframe case. Both these birds have been issued with Article 10 certificates from Defra. The eggs of course are reproduction examples by Tony. These birds have completed Article 10 paperwork and will never be for sale.

Peregrine Falcons by AJ Armitstead. Simply Stunning, in a pictureframe case.Both these birds have been issued with Article 10 certificates from Defra. The eggs of course are reproduction examples by Tony.

Female Peregrine Falcon by A J Armitstead, 1999, complete with A10 certificate

Close up of the Female Peregrine Falcon above to show detail.A J Armitstead, 1999, complete with A10 certificate

Gyr Falcon by AJ Armitstead. Simply Stunning, in a pictureframe case.

Woodcock by AJ Armitstead, in a pictureframe case.

Kestrels. by AJ Armitstead, in a pictureframe case.

White Headed Whistling Duck by AJ Armitstead, in a pictureframe case.

Kingfisher in Summer scene by AJ Armitstead, in a pictureframe case.

European Red Fox Vixen by AJ Armitstead.

European Dipper by AJ Armitstead, in a pictureframe case.

European Golden Oriel by AJ Armitstead, in a pictureframe case.

Woodcock in a Moorland sscene by AJ Armitstead, in a pictureframe case.

European Carrion Crow in close up by Mr Tony Armitstead

European Red Fox mask in close up by Mr Tony Armitstead

Chaffinches with nest and eggs by AJ Armitstead.

Pair of Hooded Mergansers by AJ Armitstead.

Dunnocks or Hedge Sparrows with nest and eggs by AJ Armitstead.

Black Caps with nest and eggs by AJ Armitstead.

European Red Fox close up by Mr Tony Armitstead
Edible Doormouse by AJ Armitstead.

Quails in pictureframe case by A J Armitstead and beautiful groundwork by Ms K Armitstead.

Stunning Woodpecker by A J Armitstead and beautiful groundwork by Ms K Armitstead.

Common Buzzard by A J Armitstead and beautiful groundwork by Ms K Armitstead.

Greenshank by A J Armitstead and beautiful groundwork by Ms K Armitstead.

Black birds by A J Armitstead and beautiful groundwork by Ms K Armitstead.

Stunning Kingfisher in a Winter Scene by A J Armitstead and beautiful groundwork by Ms K Armitstead.

From the Nursery Rhyme, Who killed Cock Robin by Mr Tony Armitstead

Detail of the above case of the Nursery Rhyme, Who killed Cock Robin by Mr Tony Armitstead

Brown Rat by Mr Tony Armitstead

Brown Rat in close by Mr Tony Armitstead

Compilation of diamond shaped cases by Mr Tony Armitstead. Others have tried to copy this style of case and quality of work and have failed miserably.

ITEMS WANTED. Please respond via this on-line form HERE with a description of what you have for sale.

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