Getting fed up with people being too thick to navigate the site, so from now on new images / information shall be posted here first. They will be left here for a period of time and then moved into appropriate sub-pages.
Here is an interesting statistic / fact, well interesting to us anyway. Since 2009, we have had in excess of 550,000 vists to the web site. Imagine that. Simply the best website around.
Interesting observation from the recent Tenants sporting sale. Taxidermy that was the ex-property of Maidstone Council being sold and no doubt those badly needed funds being returned to the public purse. We applaud this undertaking and shall seek to ensure that this happens more often on a regular basis despite the decision "being a good one". Maidstone shall receive around £2000, which is minor considering the amount that Sefton Council gave away, which was way in excess of £150,000. Still I am sure it is saved for the nation.
Large case of African birds by Williams of Dublin.
Large case of Bearded Tits or Bearded Reedling and Reed Pheasant. Very similar to that of Gunn but possibly not.
Striated Caracaras (Phalcoboenus australis), also known as Johnny Rook or Flying Devils, which live in the Falkland Islands. This one was mounted by John Leadbetter
Kingfishers by Hope of Edinburgh.
Buzzard by James Hutchings.
Great Bustard chick looking at a Grasshopper.
Stoat in ermine with Great Tit prey to go into a picture frame case.
English Partridge. Completed case by yours truly.
Common Buzzard and Lapwing prey by Shelbrook of Brignorth.
Pine Martens by McCleay of Inverness.
Cape Petrel in wall hanging dome.
Modern Goldcrest in victorian rosewood dome.
Stunning Pike and Bleak case by Homer. This cae sold recently at Lawrences of Crewkerne for £2900 hammer price.
Barn Swallow with nest and eggs.
Barn Swallow with nest and eggs.
Barn Swallow with nest and eggs.
Barn Owl by H.G.Jeffrey of Isle if Wight.
Attractive trade lable for the Barn Owl by H.G.Jeffrey of Isle if Wight.
Magpies by yours truly. Very rare uncased exhibit.
Black Guillemotts.
Another break away from the norm. Lion with its face smashed.
Lion above restored.
Racing Pigeon by EF Spicer .
Chubb by John Cooper.
Hummingbird by James Gardner.
An example of a forthcoming lot for sale at Summers Place Auctions, curated by Mr Errol Fuller.
An example of a forthcoming lot for sale at Summers Place Auctions, curated by Mr Errol Fuller.
Extinct pair of Heath Hens. Mounted by Leadbetter of London, with trade label to the rear of the case. Interesting story in that the new owner bougth them on Ebay in the UK, last week for a buy it now price of £100. Birds have been verified by the UK's historical taxidermy expert, including extinct birds, Errol Fuller. Perhaps the only known pair of Heath Hens in the UK with a legend on the back of the case stating the birds were shot in New York state 1850. Nomorebargins????, pehaps!!!
Very interesting display of what appears to the work of Rowland Ward.
Now here we have a break from the norm. Entitled "Stone Cold Fox". By up and coming artist Adele Morse. Why feature this. Well it is in my view a work of genius. Clearly not desinged to be a true copy of an actual Red Fox. undertaken in a self-deprecating manner. To be able to laugh at oneself is a great gift. Sooo many "taxidermists" are up their own backsides about their abilities. I include myself in that statement, so it is refreshing to see a more humerous treatedment of this "sacred subject". I think its fantastic and has certainly sparked debate. Those who think it is junk just don't get it. Its called irony.
Red Throated Divrs by Cullingford.
Ringnecked Pheasant / Golden Pheasant cross by Peter Spicer & Sons.
Whimbrel nest and eggs.
Whimbrel nest and eggs. Eggs are reproduction as always
Male Californian Quail by yours truly.
Juvenile Albino Grey Squirrel. Not everyones cup of tea it would appear, but nice specimen all the same. This particular specimen can fit in the palm of your hand. We would suggest only a few months old. Albinos rarely survive in the wild for many reasons.
Melanistic Grey Squirrel. Unlike the albino as featured above these are much more robust.
Perch by John Cooper and Sons.
Puffins from the Charles Stonham collection.
European Heron by TE Gunn.
Whimbrel eggs retained here. Reproduction eggs believe it or not by simply the best artist in this field.
Black Shouldered Kite by John Cooper.
Reproduction Little Tern eggs by the finest exponent of this craft.
North Atlantic Puffin. Fully mature bird, unlike the ones washed up this year following the "Puffin Wreck"
Woodcock by Rowland Ward.
European Snipe, completed case.
European Woodcock completed case.
Innovative re-use of Black Bears head from a wrecked rug by yours truly.
Nightjars by Shaw.
Red Squirrels by Murray of Carnforth.
Barnacle Geese heads by Murray of Carnforth.
Wagtails by John Cooper.
Greenshanks by unknown taxidermist.
Canada Goose by Hutchinson of Derby.
Peregrine falcon depicted as gamekeepers gibet by John Leadbetter.
Pochard by TE Gunn.
European Snipe in a pictureframe case.
Black tailed Godwit completed case.
Barnacle Geese from the Stonham collection.
European Woodcock in pictureframe case, nearly completed.
Woodmouse whimsy by A.J.Armitstead.
Barn Owl by H Murray of Carnforth.
Ringed Plover. Completed case.
Golden Plovers by TE Gunn.
English Pheasant by Bill Cox.
Decorative pair of Pheasants by Henry Shaw
Hooded Merganser chicks that did not make it out of the incubator.
Bleak dated 1891 by Gibson of London. This fish is for sale by a private collector. Should anyone wish to purchase it then email in and we will pass the contact details on. There are already offers in the region of £2,000 for the item just to let you know.
Barbel, late fish by Griggs who owned John Cooper's at the time.
Stunning Hornbill. You know I would hate to think that the dealers thought this was missed. Strong interest expressed from buyers in North America I am told. Have fun, oh and the easiest way to win this is to keep your hand up.
Stunning mixed case. You know I would hate to think that the dealers thought this was missed. Strong interest expressed from buyers in North America I am told. Have fun and pretty pointless ringing round each other prentending no one will be bidding.
Bright and colourful firescreen by William Thompson of Chester. If annyone has in-depth knowledge of this taxidermist then please get in touch.
Bitterns by unknown taxidermist. Could be the work of TE Gunn but unclear. Norfolk influenced case all the same.
You'd be dissapointed if you found this in a skip.
Nuthatch by yours truly. Mauled by a cat, lots of work required to get right but turned out OK.
Attractive dome of Hummingbirds by Ashmead of London.
Not strictly taxidermy but these are blanks that form the eggs by the UK's finest egg reproducer. Each egg is accurate in terms of size shape and markings.
Not strictly taxidermy but these are blanks that form the eggs by the UK's finest egg reproducer. Each egg is accurate in terms of size shape and markings. The blanks above are then turned into these. If you examine the blanks closely enough you will see the ones used to make these wading bird reproductions.
Interesting piece of social history. I'll let you read this one.
Common Carp by Rowland Ward.
Peter Spicer Fox mask
Grayling by John Cooper
Victorian female Merlin in pictureframe case. This case is very much in the style of Shelbrook of Brignorth.
For those with an interest in small birds, here is a case of Black Redstarts.
Stunning pair of Black Grouse by Hibbs of Ollerton.
Now if you wish to see Toucans done properly with the right animation then look no further. For the best taxidermy you have to look overseas these days.
Nice decorative display of Scarlet Ibis, perhaps the finest examples of the ones we have seen in the UK. Mounted by a gifted soul, that's if you can get him motivated.
Completed Puffin Case. Superb modern taxidermy.
Mandarin Duck Drake. Superb modern taxidermy.
Nightjar by J.A.Cole of Norwich.
Sandlings by TE Gunn of Norwich.
"Emma", the mascot Chimpanzee, by William Farren of Cambridge.
Cockatoo by Rowland Ward.
Ringed Plover. Completed case.
Ringed Plover.
Ringed Plover in detail.
Peregrine Falcon by Henry Shaw.
Snowy Owl by Cullingford.
New to the site and not been seen before. Peter Spicer and Sons taxidermy. Both birds shot by W.H.Johnston in the Cotswolds. More detailed images below.
Little Bustard by Peter Spicer and Sons Shot by W.H.Johnston Glebe farm Turkdean in the Cotswolds 1946.
Common Quail by Peter Spicer and Sons Shot by W.H.Johnston Glebe farm Turkdean in the Cotswolds 1943.
Large and impressive case of New Zealand birds collected in 1886. The Taxidermist in question was Charles Thorpe of Croydon. Many thanks to Adrian Johnston for donating the image. You will see from the description on the case that a significant number are now extinct. Where is this case now?
Large and impressive case of New Zealand birds collected in 1886.Many thanks to Adrian Johnston for donating the image. You will see from the description on the case that a significant number are now extinct. Where is this case now?
More detailed description of who collected to specimens, where and when they were obtained.
Impressive Indian wall hangings depicting both Mugger Crocodiles and Ganges Gharials
Impressive Indian wall hangings depicting both Mugger Crocodiles and Ganges Gharials
Impressive Indian wall hangings depicting both Mugger Crocodiles and Ganges Gharials
Impressive Indian wall hangings, here we have a Hawksbill Turtle shell
Not strictly taxidermy but, worthy of note from authorities in the field of natural history /zoo-ology. Errol Fuller and Sir David Attenborough. From a recent conversation with Errol it was stated that a mere 57,000 books have been sold since its launch. Now I am sure that this does not measure up to book sales of taxidermy publications (wink) but a good show nevertheless.
William Ashburton Macleay (1823-1892), the Ashburton referring to Lord
Ashburton who owned the Rosehall estate when he was born. He became established in
Inverness in 1854, when he advertised that he was now "Successor to Lewis Dunbar,
Bird-stuffer, &c., 80, Church Street, Inverness."His father was William Macleay
(c.1777-1869), the head gamekeeper at Rosehall.His son, who continued the business,
was William Macleay (1864-1932). We beleive given the research undertaken and the other information / images that we have that this is, William Macleay (1864-1932) the son. For those with an eye and who actually do taxidermy rather than merely commenting about it, there are clues in the larger version of this image.
Eurasian Jay by yours truly.
Barn Owl by yours truly. For years I used to think this was some black art and the victorian junk was the best option. Not any more, its easy really. Also of interest and amusement, well to me anyway is the rash of books on this subject, non of which have been penned by taxidermist themselves in recent years. I happen to like the way this turned out. DIY, cannot beat it.
Barn Owl from Army & Navy store, which typically means Rowland Ward.
Marsh Harrier from Army & Navy store, which typically means Rowland Ward.
Whimbrel from Army & Navy store, which typically means Rowland Ward.
Bar tailed Godwit from Army & Navy store, which typically means Rowland Ward.
Black Tern from Army & Navy store, which typically means Rowland Ward.
Nightjar from Army & Navy store, which typically means Rowland Ward.
Scaup ducks from Army & Navy store, which typically means Rowland Ward.
Bittern from Army & Navy store, which typically means Rowland Ward.
Female Capercaille by Rowland Ward.
Hoopoe by TE Gunn.
New Taxidermy book by Alexis Turner, to be launched in May this year. Having spoken to Alexis today there has been a fantastic response to this punblication even prior to launch. How many books can be written on this subject??????. It appears still more to come. This book has got the balance right being image rich (over 300 images to peruse) and of superb quality which is reflected in some 30,000 copies already been reserved. Another example of how to do a publication properly. Add that to the 57,000 sold by Errol Fuller and well................
Barn Owl, by yours truly.
Puffin in wall mounted dome by Gardner.
Long Eared Owls by Hope.
Curatorial roles saved in face of restructureTwo specialist curatorial roles at Kendal Museum have been saved from redundancy
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