The art of taxidermy as practiced at Wards was very simple by any standards, yet typical of the era. To stuff an animal the skin would first be treated with salt, alum and arsenical soap, the bones wired and wrapped and put back inside the legs, and once hung upside down, the skin literally stuffed with straw until it could hold no more. To thin the body at any point, the skin would be sewn through with a long needle and the hide drawn in. Other shapes or contours would be achieved of this 'upholstered' specimen, simply by beating the detail into the mount with a plank of wood. Akeley left this establishment briefly for a period of six months to work with New York taxidermist John Wallace following a misunderstanding that led to his dismissal from Wards. 'A more dreary six months l never had spent anywhere' described Akerleys time at Wallaces Taxidermy of New York. So when Henry Ward came after Carl declaring that his dismissal had all been an erroneous mistake, he happily returned to his former employer and stayed a further 3 years. But Carl found little inspiration at Wards. He was critical that much of the work lacked any anatomical accuracy and that there was little attempt by the establishment to put the animals into natural attitudes.
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We are perhaps some of the largest collectors of taxidermy in the United Kingdom. We are always interested in purchasing taxidermy and anything with be considered and advice given if asked for. Collection considered for purchase can be either single items and or large collections. We do however specialise in Victorian taxidermy by then famous taxidermists. Please contact us either via the number contained within the site or via email, we would be delighted to talk with you and discuss what you have for sale. We will always provide an opinion as to value, based upon condition and the artist involved. Alternatively you can go to www.Taxidermy4cash.com Many thanks
