Taxidermy Collecting

The Four Elms Collection

Victorian Taxidermy Collecting

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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One Man's Collection

Collectors very frequently acquire specialized knowledge about their collections. To understand how this works, one would have to be a collector or to understand the collector mentality. Most collectors do not collect just to possess the items in their collections, but because the items fascinate them and they want to learn as much about them as they can. This is demonstrated by those who have written books on this subject.

Victorian Mountain Hare by Peter Spicer of Leamington Spa. The signed pebble is located to the right of the case, which was Spicer's trade mark.

Victorian Arctic Tern and Common Tern with eggs from the Campbell-Black collection.

Victorian Arctic Tern in close up from the Campbell-Black collection.

Victorian Fox mask in glass case.

Victorian Fox mask in glass case.

Victorian Red Kite by Jefferies of Carmarthen.

Stunning case of European Red Fox and Rabbit by Bill Cox of Liverpool, Victorian case. This case is from the BCB collection and is not for sale.

Victorian Wood Pigeon by James Hutchings.

Victorian Great Spotted Woodpecker by Malloch of Perth.

Victorian Coot by Bryant of Wellingborough from The Andy Henry Collection.

European Hares by Jefferies of Carmarthen.

Victorian Swallows by lewis Hutton of Bristol.

White Pheasants by James Gardner, refurbished by Barry Williams.

Victorian White Pheasant by unknown taxidermist.

Baby Otter by Peter Spicer of Leamington Spa. Victorian case.

Taxidermy Collectors and Collections

We are in contact with many serious collectors globally sharing both knowledge and experiences of taxidermy colecting and regulations that govern this trade, I was on the path of becoming a serious collector myself (funds being the most obvious limiting factor), but then spent time with dealers and saw the other side of the coin :) Seeing others get "collector fever" cured me completely. This is not a crtisim, more just an observation. I understand the "mentality". (And I haven't lost the urge - except that now I collect in a more modest specialist fashion). The research I have done however into taxidermy's availability and worth is both extensive and detailed and is of course ongoing.

Male Merlin with Snipe prey by Peter Spicer of Leamington Spa, owned by BCB Collector

Collecting is about possession and ownership. With "investment collectors" it's the possession and ownership of valuables that have the potential to increase with time. With "passionate collectors" the motivations are very varied and complex, but at the end it boils down again to possession and ownership. The test is simple. Someone who has the means to be a collector but is primarily after knowledge will support the acquisition activities of museums, because that's the rational choice for increasing knowledge. A collector will buy the object for his own private collection (even if he then lends it for public display). And there's nothing wrong with collecting. It is both a very natural instinct and something that is accepted, and approved, by social norms and regulated by laws.

Woodcock in Winter scene by TE Gunn of Norwich Norfolk. Victorian case with glass that has been made to represent ice in the scene.

Serious collectors support both dealers and taxidermists alike. Most taxidermists activity is a rural based activity, and with the ban on fox hunting, the rural community needs all the support it can get. With the small band of both dedicated and wealthy collectors here in the UK, the price of Victorian Taxidermy would be significantly lower than the prices it commands today. "The Market" however will always determine the price of everything, and forms perhaps the basic law of economics. Serious taxidermy collectors have done much to preserve good quality taxidermy for future generations and to that end they should be applauded for both their disposable capital and foreseight of investment.

Victorian Fox mask by Peter Spicer of Leamington Spa.

Stone Curlew and Lapwing by TE Gunn and FE Gunn. A very unusual combination that is very rare. Victorian case.

I am personally yet to be convinced that you could use a taxidermy collection as a retirement fund, partly due the to cyclical nature of antiques and the antiques market. We firmly believe however that in recent times taxidermy as an acceptible object to collect has come back into fashion, following a 30 year absence from the visible market place. Will it now return to another 30 years absence only remains to be seen. Perhaps the best / the greatest value in antiques is not money, but pleasure they bring to those who own them. Most Taxidermy cases, even Hutchings Foxes and Badgers, that were produced on an industrial scale, are unique in their own way. I have never seen cases that are identical, very similar yes, but never identical. Perhaps the best way to "value" an item is what would it cost you today from a dealer to replace the item that has been damaged / stolen or beyond practical restoration.

Collard Doves by TE Gunn. Most likely some of the original birds to be released in the UK. These birds were introduced, and are not native. Victorian case with eggs.

Male Ring Necked Pheasant in Summer scene by Peter Spicer of Leamington Spa
The aim of this webpage is to provide an insight into one collection. It demonstrates both the nature and extent of Victorian Taxidermy and the variety of what is currently available at a price. This collection (limited part thereof) also represents perhaps one of the largest private collections in the UK today and is representative of a significant number of both modern and Victorian taxidermists.

Antique taxidermy cases by example from the "Four Elms Collection". These pictures represent approximately one sixth of the total collection (over 650 cases), this does not include masks and shields. We hope you enjoy them

Conniston Fox by Peter Spicer of Leamington Spa

Pair of White, Ringed necked Pheasants by James Gardner of London. Victorian case. Lovely groundwork and natural poses for each bird, which was Gardner's forte.

Modern case by Williams, containing European Magpies, one normal colour and the other in aberation

European Kestrels by Hutchings. Victorian case

European Kestrel by Hutchings. Victorian case

Pair of Otter Heads by R Raine of Carlisle. Victorian mounts

Modern case by Williams, containing European Otter that died as a road casualty. This animal has all appropriate paperwork

Modern case by Williams, containing European Capercaillies.

Modern case by Williams, depicting a waterside scene. This case is 6feet by 4feet by 2 feet and contains 18 items of taxidermy. The otters died of natural causes and come with appropriate paperwork.

European Red Fox with Rabbit prey by Unknown Victorian Taxidermist

Ringed Plovers with reproduction eggs by Barry Williams

Fox mask by Peter Spicer & Sons

Fox mask by Peter Spicer & Sons

Perhaps one of the most unusual Spicer cases. Small Crocodile by Peter Spicer of Leamington Spa. Victorian case.

Sea Birds by Peter Spicer of Leamington Spa

White Ring Necked Pheasants by Peter Spicer. Unusual also to find wooden branches in the case.

Iconic case of Wildcat and Grouse prey. Taxidermy created by Peter Spicer.Victorian case.
Cases produced by this firm nornally had a large trade lable to the reverso to the taxidermy case. Also each case would have a signed pebble or flat stone, placed in full view. This would have been signed and dated either by Peter Spicer himself or Peter Spicer and Sons. For an example, this is very evident in the bottom right hand corner of the Ptarmigan case and the bottom right of the Magpie case at the bottom of this page. Each case would have had a delightful watercolour that presented the subject as close to its natural habitat as possible. Some Spicer taxidermy cases were produced with plain backgrounds, but the norm was watercolours. The perspectives acheived are wonderful, as this demonstarted by examples pictured here.

Red grouse by Peter Spicer

Teal by Mark Ball

Just a Typical example of a Spicer Fox Mask. Hundreds if not Thousands were produced. Not that special, just a good example of the work carried for a specific market.

Fabulous case of Green Woodpecker and Little Owls by Peter Spicer of Leamington Spa

Woodcock in Winter scene by TE Gunn.

A fine example of a Victorian Leopard Head on shield by the celebrated firm of VAN INGEN of Mysore

Fox in ambush by Jefferies of Camarthen.

European Red Fox in ambush with Rabbits by Jefferies of Camarthen. This is the twin case to the one above

Fabulous Lapwings with four chicks by Edwin Ward. Victorian case.

Golden Eagle with chick and Rabbit prey by Hutchings of Aberystwyth. Victorian case.

Closeup of the case above. Victorian case.

Spotted Eagle from the Clungunford collection. Victorian bird.

Egyptian Vulture from the Clungunford collection. Victorian bird.

European Red Fox and Grey Patridge prey by Hutchings.

Male and female Ringed Necked Pheasants by Hutchings.

Closeup of Bullfinches by David Keningale.

Kestrel and Sparrowhawk by Lowne of Great Yarmouth. Victorian case. Walter Lowne, active from the 1870s until 1913, had a taxidermy shop on Fuller's Hill in Great Yarmouth.

Mixed case by Hutchings of Aberystwyth. Again an unusual mixture of birds. This case has the only example of a Little Owl by Hutchings that we know of. Probably due to the rareity of such birds at the time being only recently introduced into England. Victorian case.

Mixed case of Sea birds by Hutchings. Victorian case

European Brown Hare by Hutchings.

European Red Fox with mole prey.

Waxwing in flight in Winter Scene by Hunt of Alcester. Victorian case.

Victorian European Male Kestrel with vole prey, by Peter Spicer.

Magpie by Peter Spicer, from the BCB collection

Male Hobby by Peter Spicer, from the BCB collection

Mixed case by Hutchings of Aberystwyth. The Woodpigeon is quite possibly the best example of that species by Hutchings. Victorian case typical of this Welsh based taxidermist family.

Black Headed Gulls in Winter plumage by Hutchings of Aberystwyth. Victorian case.

Male and Female Marsh Harriers by Pratt of Brighton. Victorian case.

Pair of Woodcock by Keningale.

Albino Otter Cub by Charles Kirk of Glasgow

Little Gull by Hope of Edinburgh. Victorian case, with subtle watercolour background.

Richardson Skua. Victorian case.

Common Snipe and Jack Snipe by Raine. Victorian case.

Hare by Keningale.

Barnacle Geese. Victorian case.

Gooseanders by McCley of Inverness. Victorian case.

Kestrels by Peter Spicer. Victorian case.
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Various Heads by Spicer, Ward and Gerrard.

European Gannet by Jefferies of Camarthen

European Red Fox by Jefferies of Camarthen, one of three identical cases. Victorian cases.

Hen Harrier by Rowland Ward

Victorian mixed case of North American birds, by Hutchinson of Derby. Many thanks Henry..

Fox Hound by Peter Spicer & Sons of Leamington Spa. Most likely a well performing hound in the Hunt or a pack leader.

Stunning Kingfisher. Victorian case

Polecat with Greenfinch prey by Hutchings of Aberystwyth. Victorian case

Polecats with Water Rail prey by Hutchings of Aberystwyth. Victorian case

Fox in ambush with two Red Grouse by Hutchings of Aberystwyth. Victorian case

Badgers by White of Salisbury. Victorian case

Stunning case of Black Crowned Night Herons by Bennett of Norwich.

Stunning case of Black Rabbits by Hutchings of Aberystwyth.

Barn Owl and Long Eared Owl by Hutchings of Aberystwyth. Victorian case

Stunning Badger with rabbit prey by Hutchings of Aberystwyth. Victorian case

Coot by Jefferies of Camarthen in Wales. Victorian case

Mixed case by Hutchings of Aberystwyth. Victorian case

Stone Curlew and chicks. Victorian case

Female Merlin and Male Sparrowhawk by Hutchings of Aberystwyth. Victorian case

Greylag Goose by Chalkley of Winchester. Victorian case

Stunning Seabird case by H T Shopland of Torquay. Containing from left to right , Red Throated Diver in Winter plumage. A Shag in Summer plumage. Another Red Throated Diver. Two Herring Gulls in Winter plumage and a Lesser Black Backed Gull. Victorian case

Trade label of Shopland of Torquay from the back of the case above.

Razorbills by Vignoe of Cornwall. Victorian case

Ring Necked Pheasants by Hutton of Bristol. Victorian case, with amazing attention to detail in creating the copy of a Silver Birch tree.

Raven by Henry Ward.

Family of Turnstones, two adults and two immature birds. Unkown Victorian taxidermist. Fabulous case.

Male Pheasant by Peter Spicer

Greylag Goose by Kirk of Glasgow. Victorian Case.

Victorian taxidermy case of a Long Eared Owl by Murray

Sparowhawk with Starling prey by Jefferies

Magical Spicer Wigeon from the BCB collection. A "one off" case.

A Hutchings of Aberystwyth Badger from the Andy Henry Collection, now the BCB Collector has it.

Manx Shearwater by Hutchings of Aberystwyth. Victorian case.

Victorian Red Fox with Patridge by Hutchings of Aberystwyth.

Peter Spicer Water Rail and Spotted Crake

Male Gooseander by Kirk of Glasgow. From the BCB Collection.

Victorian label by Charles Kirk of the case above.

Victorian Timber Wolf

Victorian Moorhen in detail by Hutchings of Aberystwyth. Wonderful case.

Common Buzzard by AJ Armitstead.

Long Eared Owl by Peter Spicer.

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

Gulls by Henry Ward

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

Victorian Red Kite and Marsh Harrier by Hutchings of Aberystwyth. BCB Collection

Ferret by Peter Spicer of Leamington Spa

European Badger by Peter Spicer

White Ring Necked Pheasant by Peter Spicer

White Ring Necked Pheasant by Peter Spicer

Pair of Black Grouse by Peter Spicer of Leamington Spa

Eagle Owl and chick by Williams of Cannock. Modern case

Mixed case of Owls by Hutchings.

Various selection of Otter Masks by Peter Spicer & Sons.

Mixed case of Owls by Hutchings.

Close up of Dog Fox by Hutchings showing mouth detail moulded in plaster.

Sparrowhawk and Crossbill prey by Peter Spicer.

Barn Owl by Peter Spicer&Sons of Leamington Spa.

European Otter by Peter Spicer.

European Jay by Peter Spicer.

European Badger by Peter Spicer

Victorian Gannet in breeding plumage by Kirk of Galsgow, from the BCB collection.

Victorian label by Charles Kirk of the case above.

Victorian Grebes by TE Gunn, from the BCB collection.

Victorian male Wigeon from a Norfolk taxidermist, from the BCB collection.

Stone Curlew and Lapwing by TE Gunn

Grebes by TE Gunn

Ring Necked Pheasants by Rowland Ward

Female Peregrine Falcon by Rowland Ward, from the BCB collection

Victorian Tawny Owl by Bill Cox, from the BCB collection.

Victorian label by Bill Cox of Liverpool.

Stunning Peregrines by McCley, from the BCB collection.

Victorian Merlins with eggs by Henry Shaw

Badger by Shelbrooke. Victorian case

Barn Owls by Jefferies of Camarthen, Victorian and nearly a matched pair.

Modern case containing a Blacked Back Gull and two chicks, very much in the style of James Hutchings

Parrot by Rowland Ward.

Rough Legged Buzzards by Rowland Ward.

Buzzards by Jefferires, circa 1890

Award winning ducks by Alder of NEWBURY, Victorian case

Magnificent Sea bird case by Hutchings of Aberystwyth. BCB Collection

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