The British Historical Taxidermy Society

William Frederick Homer established his taxidermy business in Forest Gate, East London in 1887. Cases from this period are very rare, and I know of only one case pre 1887.

Initially Homer operated a fishing tackle and taxidermy business from his parents home, 157 Forest Lane, Forest Gate.

Homer wired his fish in a different manner to other taxidermists,
he used three wires to attach his fish to the backboard of the case, whereas all other taxidermists used two wires or a
thick wooden block.

Homer cases tend to be lighter in weight than Cooper and other fish taxidermists cases, due in part to the manner of construction and also the fact that Homer fish tend to be completely hollow. Another feature that set Homer cases apart from others is the style of the
gold lettering on the glass. Homers gold is in the Gothic style
and tends to be less bright.

In 1904, Homer rented a shop at 105 Woodgrange Road, just around the corner from his Forest Lane home. It was here that he set up a retail fishing tackle operation providing a taxidermy service, with a young assistant named William Bertie Griggs.

Early Homer cases have a blue backboard with stick like crayon marks behind the reeds, the gold border has two black lines running through it. Around 1920 this changes, the backboard is now painted pale green, with reeds painted behind the dried reeds making
them look more plentiful than they are, the gold border has
only one line through it.

The style of Homer cases didn't change for the next forty years.
Just after the Second World War Homers moved to a new shop about 100 yards further up Woodgrange Road, to number 135.

Fish taxidermy ceased at Homers around 1960, with the retail shop carrying on until the early 1970's. When a new rail bridge was needed across Woodgrange Road, number 135 was demolished
and Homers closed.

A much more detailed account of W F Homers business
will be featured in myforthcoming book,
English Fish Taxidermists 1825-1961

Barry Williams 2010