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UPDATED: Wednesday 25th January 2012

Crowned Pigeon by Peter Spicer

Circa 1904

This rare case by Peter Spicer is one of the most significant cases by this sought after practitioner to surface for years. Apart from the famed fox masks most of Spicer’s output was the obvious readily available British species with the usual run of owls, hawks, game birds and various mammals all represented. Whilst we have recorded a number of exotic species by Spicer, most are in museums with very few in private collections.
An interesting story accompanies this case, being that it was given as a wedding present 50 plus years ago. The recipients son tells us that to his knowledge his parents were never particularly interested in natural history which makes it all the more bizarre that they should receive this case as a wedding gift, that said, it remained in the same family until recently.
One does have to question how do you broach the bride to be with your gift proposal and indeed, why someone would have been given such a gift for such an occasion?
Whilst we are aware collectors of taxidermy can be fanatical about there collecting, we doubt many collectors would have dared add taxidermy to their wedding list.

The Crowned Pigeon has traditionally been a persecuted bird. Hunted for meat and its spectacular lace like plume, these birds were also widely collected for the pet trade as is notably tame. Now categorised as a threatened species, its conservation status lists it as vulnerable. It is the largest living pigeon (about the size of a large chicken) with only its close relative the extinct DODO being larger.
Bird dealing, particularly in exotic species was big business in days past so no doubt the bird dealers of the day would have a ready market for such an attractive bird, dead or alive. Whether this was somebody’s pet,from an exotic collection or a skin sent back from New Guinea I guess
we will never know, either way it is another
PETER SPICER CLASSIC CASE.

CAN YOU HELP???

The society is regularly contacted by numurous individuals and organisations from around the world seeking information. In the majority of cases we provide information specific to the requests we receive. However on some occasions we need to seek more information on certain practitioners and hope that visitors to this website may be able to assist.

WE ARE CURRENTLY SEEKING INFORMATION ON

LEONARD. C HARWOOD

Described is a 'Practical Naturalist' Harwood was based in
Hammersmith, London.
Whilst we have recorded several cases by this practitioner we know
very little else. Maybe you have a case by Harwood or know of one,if so we would appreciate any information you may be able to provide.

ALSO

DOWSETT. E.J

High Street, Dunmow, Essex.
‘Frame Maker, Glass & Mount Cutter and TAXIDERMIST.

Interestingly Dowsett spelt the words "and taxidermist" in capitals,it would seem he added taxidermist to his label after his main professions.

We would like to know more about this practitioner so any help would be most welcome.

Anyone with information, images of cases or persons or the whereabouts of any work by either of these practitioners please contact us.

CONTACT US:

Enquiries@britishhistoricaltaxidermysociety.co.uk

or

taxidermy1@hotmail.com

GUILD OF TAXIDERMISTS

Whilst the BHTS exists to promote, preserve, record and research all aspects of historical taxidermy. We recognise the important work of the Guild of Taxidermists in raising the standards of taxidermy in the UK. Continually striving to improve the level of workmanship and encourage new practitioners into the trade, the Guild plays an important role in the future enjoyment of the subject.
We are therefore pleased to support their efforts and provide a link to their website for anyone wishing to obtain further information on becoming a taxidermist or the art of taxidermy today.
www.taxidermy.org.uk

JANUARY 2012

LATEST PAGE UPDATES!

25th January 2012


Donations

Rowland Ward

Peter Spicer

Classic cases

About Taxidermy - Taxidermy Today

Van Ingen

James Gardner

OUR ARCHIVE

The BHTS operates and manages one the largest archives dedicated to British Historical Taxidermy in the UK.

We are dedicated to recording all taxidermy related information and images concerning this subject for future reference and research.

We pride ourselves on recording accurate information however small to further our understanding and knowledge of this subject.

Our archive has now exceeded 20,686 Digital IMAGES of both historical and modern taxidermy and associated material (see About Us-Image Database). We would therefore like to thank everyone who has contributed to this over the past years and look forward to your continued support.
As a leading resource, our archive is proving to be a valuable focal point, used by many to research this subject.

Our archive is available to researchers, students, media, museums,organisations,enthusiasts and collectors alike.

The society welcomes any donations (however small) of information,images and material of any kind.

Picture of the Month
January 2012

An amazing case of Argus Pheasants
by
A.S.HUTCHINSON

Arnold Hutchinson was based in Derby and started trading as a taxidermist around 1870's. A prolific provincial taxidermist & naturalist his work can be seen in many museums and collections.
He was also co-author of the Birds of Derby (1893).
It would seem that unlike many taxidermists Hutchinson never
changed style of his trade label. All the cases we have seen and recorded bare the same label.

Rowland Ward
Cecil H. Bisshopp
Peter Spicer & Sons
Walter Potter
H. Murray & Son
James Hutchings
Edward Gerrard & Sons
T.E Gunn
John Cooper
Van Ingen & Van Ingen
Thomas Hall
William Bazeley
Lewis Hutton
William Macleay
W.F. Homer
Henry Ward
A.S. Hutchinson