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<html> <head> <title>Taxidermy Articles.www.Taxidermy4cash.com</title> </head> <body> <h1>Taxidermy Articles.www.Taxidermy4cash.com</h1> <div class="info">Author: <a href="author_1_89030.html">www.Taxidermy4cash.com</a></div><div class="body">During this period collecting and mounting of both taxidermy birds and animals was undertaken on a commercial scale. Routinely specimens were collected from the wild in a random fashion. Birds, chicks and eggs were taken for scientific purposes and arranged in as natural representation as possible. It is however interesting to observe, when “stuffers” obtained specimens that they did not observe in the wild, and the almost comical presenting of what was meant to be both a natural pose and environment. Thankfully these individuals were in the minority. For the best examples of antique taxidermy to survive that era, it is best to observe the works by: • Henry Ward • Rowland Ward • Peter Spicer • William Hutchings • James Gardner Above are just my personal view of who created the best cases, you may feel free to disagree. However during the above period, almost every small town in the UK has a resident taxidermist plying their trade as a side line to more conventional employment. They heyday of this form of taxidermy display was realistically from around 1875- until 1920. Companies such as Rowland Ward, Peter Spicer continued after that period, but interest in Victoriana, was superseded by Art Deco, and therefore cases of dead animals seemed to have no place. It was not until 1970 onwards did there appear to be resurgence in this subject and today taxidermy historical cases produced by the great firms now command thousands of pounds and are now collected widely. It is interesting to note however that these items were never cheap in their heyday and I suppose that given their notional value now, it might not represent a good investment, when you take into account the “time value of money” principle. Given the resurgence, brought about in part by the disposal of the Jamaica Inn collection mainly produced by Victorian Taxidermist Walter Potter of Bramber in West Sussex. This collection was sold for around £475,000. America Taxidermy The origins of taxidermy can be traced back to the ancient practice of preserving trophies from the hunt. But its modern development arose from the interest in natural science that emerged during the 17th century. In the 19th century taxidermy became firmly established as a museum art in such commercial houses as Maison Verreaux in Paris and Ward's Natural Science Establishment in Rochester, N.Y. One of the most noted American experts in the field was Carl E. Akeley (1864-1926), who first worked at Ward's before moving on to the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago and the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. He is credited with developing the taxidermic method of mounting museum displays to show how animals looked in their natural surroundings. He did this by showing animals in positions suggesting great activity; he also used real or artificial vegetation and painted backgrounds to give an idea of habitat. Akeley's goal was to use taxidermy to create a panorama of Africa and its big game in museums across the United States. His method of mounting skin on a finely molded replica of the body of an animal yielded results with a degree of realism that had not been created before. His contributions elevated taxidermy from a craft to an art form. Taxidermy - The stuff memories are made of. Kim McDonald Having been asked, some time ago to write an article for this directory, I finally sit down, three days before the deadline and put pen to paper - or as modern times dictate, fiddle with my computer. The next problem is what to write about. Do I throw at the reader "A do it yourself guide to stuffing"?, No - I would need the whole book to do that. Do I rant and rave about the wonderful system of taxidermy licensing that has been bestowed upon us or pay homage to the Article 10 - Hell no, that would also need a book and it wouldn't change a thing, although pressure is having some effect. Do I take the opportunity to do a three page advert for myself, hmm, a good idea but then the editor might charge me, so instead I will give you the best advice I can on what to do, should you decide to have a taxidermy specimen mounted. This will, without apology, project into the limelight, a group of dedicated exponents of the taxidermy art known as the Guild of Taxidermists. Why should I advertise the Guild? - Simple, I happen to be the Chairman and I know what benefits it can present the client - that is you. So, let us presume you have found yourself in the unfortunate position of losing (by way of death) a specimen - a valued friend, one of your flock, worth God knows what, in time, money and sentimentality. It happens to us all. Basically, you are presented with three choices:- - you can, with or without the aid of volley of shots fired over the intended burial site, intern it in a wooden casket and return it to the earth or be even more illustrious, if it is of Scandinavian origin, give it a Viking send off. - you can place it in the freezer immediately and then ring up the nearest taxidermist and sell the carcass - it will have a value. It may not necessarily be enough to purchase a new taxidermy specimen but it will recoup some of the financial loss- or again, place it in the freezer and elect to have it mounted, set up, or to put it bluntly, stuffed. Actually, we in the trade do not like the word "stuffed". It conjures up visions of a boggle eyed monster in a glass fronted box, unnaturally taxidermy posed and hanging on the wall of a old museum. These days, a good taxidermist will model your specimen into an anatomically correct position and bear witness to its traits and idiosyncrasies. In other words, providing you pick the right artist, you will get a job worthy of that specimen. Who then is the right person for the job? You may already know of a taxidermist and you may already be happy with the work. Great, but if you don't, it can be a taxing decisionYou presumably will dive into the yellow pages or if you are computer minded, trawl through various websites, both sources being full of advertisers claiming to be the best. So now you know of loads of taxidermists, but which one is best suited? Well, help is at hand. The best place to start is the Guild of Taxidermists. Why?, well we run the only qualification in the U.K. available to the trade. The qualifications are earned by way of "credits" which are mounted specimens judged by a panel to be of an acceptable standard.. A member must gain six credits in any one particular field (Bird, Mammal, Fish/Reptile, Head Mount) before he or she becomes a "Specialist". Likewise an "Accredited" member has to earn six "credits" including Birds, Mammals and Fish/Reptile to attain that title. Judging is not just a case of saying " oh I like that, that's a pass", The panel of three judges plus an adjudicator (all of whom are qualified taxidermists) has to be satisfied that a specimen has passed a required standard. A standard some say is often, if anything, erring towards being too strict. However, a line is drawn and if the work doesn't come up to scratch, it doesn't earn a "credit". A "Master " has to earn three "higher category credits" in each field to be awarded the top qualification. The judging of those credits is done by the panel plus all taxidermists present at our annual Conference. Consequently they are a rare achievement. We have however among our members a few who are well on their way to a Master, having gained qualification in one or more fields. The Guild will be able to advise you of who in your locality is such a member and what they specialise in. If there is no one in your area we will point you to a selection of the nearest. At this point, it is only fair to say that not all taxidermists are members of the Guild. There are a few lost souls out there and one or two are quite good. Likewise, not all members of the Guild are Accredited, Specialists or Masters. Whatever your choice, care of the specimen does not end as soon as it dies. It is imperative that the carcass is frozen as soon after death as possible. It should be well wrapped - a polybag or two or a tupperware box often calms the wife down. The bird treated with the respect it deserves, not just chucked into the corner of the freezer. It is also no good burying it and then 2 weeks later deciding you want it mounted and digging it up. Believe me, that has happenedThe condition of your specimen will dictate the standard of the finished item. Miracles can happen and often do, but if the plumage is in poor condition, this, with possibly a slight improvement once washed and lustred, will show on the finished mount, as will one leg or a bald head. As I say miracles can sometimes be performed, spare part surgery is possible, but at a cost That little word "cost" is also a dictating factor. What will it cost? Well that's down to the particular taxidermist. However as a guide, should you be quoted £50 to mount a Peregrine or for that matter £50 for anything, be very wary. Better still, put the phone down. Without tying anybody down to a particular rate, a Peregrine is more likely to cost in the region of £275. and that's without a case. A Barn Owl, say £175 to £280. On the other side of the coin, if you are quoted £1000 for the same job, seek a second opinion. Another clue to your taxidermists "standing" is often the time taken to complete your order. If you are quoted "it will be finished next week" forget it. That is generally a good pointer to a taxidermist's reputation. Obviously, in this case, they haven't got much work and it begs the question, why? Foot and Mouth scares apart (this slows down the amount of work coming in - especially of Fish and Deer) most good taxidermists will have at least three to six months work and often more to do before getting to your order. So if you are quoted six months, don't worry - at least other people must be satisfied for that practice to have so much work. A bird the size of a Peregrine can take a day or more to mount and two or three weeks to dry. If ordering a case as well, it cannot be sealed until the specimen is completely dried. It could be done in a week but it might not last much longer. Whatever your requirement, the Guild is there for the good of the trade. To achieve that it must give the best advice available to the customer. Although our members are not tied to a contract with the Guild - they operate with a free hand - they are however, subject to a code of conduct and do not wish to bring the Guild or the trade into disrepute. We've had no complaint so far. Tuesday August 8, 2006 The Guardian Emily Mayer's studio is not for the squeamish, especially squeamish dog-lovers. Inside the former workhouse hospital, three very alive Jack Russell-chihuahua crosses gambol among an ark of deceased relatives. Rosie the border collie reclines on a purple sofa. Bertha the foxhound lies, paws crossed, on a workbench. A fox is curled inside a suitcase. Finally, there is The Dog's Bollocks, a taxidermied rat that Mayer believes is her most perfectly recreated rodent yet. He is rolling a jar containing a pair of canine testicles. They came from her neighbour's randy dog, who got the chop. When not turning strong stomachs, taxidermy has long aroused strong emotions. For many, a childhood fascination for the glassy-eyed inhabitants of the Natural History Museum ends when teenage indignation at the abuse of animals kicks in. For generations, the art of preserving dead creatures has been considered at worst barbaric and at best a relic of 19th-century colonialism. Now, however, a new breed of artists and collectors are discovering taxidermy. A manky hoof or a moth-eaten fox head that once adorned your granny's spare room is probably propped on the wall of an expensive restaurant. A new shop selling taxidermy is opening next year in London's achingly fashionable Shoreditch. Kate Moss has just spent several thousand pounds on a piece of taxidermy sculpture - a dead bluetit on a prayer book - by the east London-based artist Polly Morgan. Mayer, an artist and taxidermist who has quietly worked in south Norfolk for a decade, has A-list clients including restaurateur Marco Pierre White and artist Damien Hirst, with whom she has collaborated on a number of works. Taxidermy is also returning to the mainstream: ordinary punters are buying antiques on eBay and at auctions, while a new novel endorsed by Richard & Judy's bookclub - The Conjurer's Bird by Martin Davies - has for a hero a character who once would have been considered an outcast: a taxidermist. Until this renaissance, taxidermy was usually associated with the Victorians and their thirst to discover and classify the natural world. Species found by Captain James Cook in the 18th century were taxidermied and brought home, but until collectors discovered the preservative properties of arsenic, few early specimens survived. (The earliest known surviving example is the Duchess of Richmond's African grey parrot, which died in 1702 and is still perched in Westminster Abbey.) Charles Darwin was a taxidermist and, by the 1890s, cities such as Birmingham boasted 18 taxidermy firms. Most genteel mantelpieces - even in urban areas - were adorned with trophies bagged from the empire - or the local copse. "They were a reminder of nice things in nature beyond the grimy cities," says Dr Pat Morris, the man who authenticated the Duchess of Richmond's parrot. "They were like three-dimensional pictures in people's drawing rooms. Then the real decline took place in the 1950s and 1960s when it became less socially acceptable. There were other things to do with animals rather than shooting them, such as filming and photographing them. And the animals were getting scarcer and scarcer." Furry and feathered exotica remained beyond the pale for decades. Now, as antique specimens and pieces of modern art, dead beasts are creeping back into living rooms. "That stigma that went with stuffed animals has gone. People have lost that 'Urrgh, do I really want a dead animal in my living room?' says John Baddeley of Bonham's auctioneers. "There is also a re-emergence of people who want to buy them because they are a work of art and fit into a particular Victorian interior style." Prices are spiralling. Tatty birds that have sat stolidly through a 100-year afterlife inside a glass case are fetching three times their guide prices at provincial auctions. A private collection of 150 birds including a number by the acclaimed Norwich-based taxidermist Thomas Edward Gunn (1844-1922) was sold at an auction in Diss, Norfolk, last month. A (now endangered) bittern fetched £950 (compared with an estimated price of £260-£300), while an avocet, expected to sell for £60-£90, went for £620. The boom in new taxidermy, meanwhile, is happening despite a number of myths. "People still say 'How many animals do you kill a week?'" says Mayer. "They have no idea that the number of animals who die naturally more than cover the work we do." The laws that govern taxidermy in the UK are strict. Every specimen created after 1947 requires paperwork documenting its history and cause of death. It is legal to pick up most animal and bird species that have died naturally in the UK although there is a list of banned - rare - species. "By far the overwhelming majority of taxidermists came into the profession through a genuine love of wildlife," says Katrina Cook of the Natural History Museum. Nor is taxidermy simply "stuffing animals". The word itself means "to arrange skin". "A good taxidermist is a sculptor, artist and naturalist rolled into one," says Cook. A taxidermist measures the carcass from all angles, notes eye colour and other soft parts, removes the skin, sculpts a model of the body (balsawood and wire for small birds; fibreglass or foam for larger specimens) and sews the skin back on. Anatomical knowledge and a feel for your animal-on-the-move is essential. "There's a lot of fieldwork involved," says Duncan Ferguson, general secretary of the Guild of Taxidermists. "Although nine times out of 10, the animal tells you what position it goes into." "In America, most taxidermists come from the hunting, shooting and fishing fraternity. In this country, they don't," says Mayer, a singular individual who pinned desiccated rabbits to her bedroom wall as a child. An increasing number of contemporary taxidermists are artists. Maurizio Cattelan, who is based in the US, is famous for sculptures such as The Ballad of Trotsky, a horse suspended from the ceiling. Hirst himself tried and failed to buy all 6,000 pieces of taxidermy in Walter Potter's Museum of Curiosities in Cornwall when the collection was auctioned off in 2003. The witty and macabre Potter was famous in Victorian times for his anthropomorphised work - tableaus typically showing squirrels playing cards, a kittens' wedding party and rats rescuing each other from a trap. Mayer does not approve of anthropomorphism but enjoys a similarly playful use of her skills (a novelty beard made from 12 white mice - shown on G2's cover- and a piglet handbag) but has focused on developing a laborious process called erosion moulding. Many traditional taxidermists don't believe it is proper taxidermy but it bestows an astonishing lifelike sheen on the dead. And it is more durable than orthodox taxidermy. Mayer can take Rosie the collie into the shower to wash her fur. Demand for taxidermy may be soaring, but the number of taxidermists is falling. Taxidermists are worried about the lack of young people in the craft. The salary - about £15,000 in museums - is not tempting. "If no kids want to do it, taxidermy is not going to survive," says Mayer. Twenty years ago, the Guild of Taxidermy had 320 members. Now it has 200. Of these, about 10 work in museums and 30 are full-time commercial taxidermists. The rest are part-time (although Ferguson estimates that there may be some 2,000 other hobbyist taxidermists). Many museums, according to Dr Morris, seem to be afraid to support taxidermy because it is politically incorrect. "There is a suspicion that museums are frightened of offending people," he says. Cook, who works to preserve the Natural History Museum's bird collection, argues that taxidermy remains crucial in science and education. "Preserving the skin of an animal is vital to the study of natural history. It has enabled us to identify and describe specimens for science and keep what we call 'type specimens'. Taxidermy is sadly all we have left of extinct species such as the Great Auk or Passenger Pigeon." One new taxidermist is artist Polly Morgan. The contents of her freezer are not what you would expect of a well-spoken 26-year-old. Wrapped in Sainsbury's bags are a large weasel (with frosted whiskers), a robin, a huge grey squirrel from London, a bat, two white rabbits, a rat, a guinea pig, a chubby wood pigeon, a bag of mice and a tiny quail chick. "I didn't think I could learn because you don't normally meet taxidermists," she says. "And you tend to think of it being archaic or a byproduct of hunting, and I'm not into hunting." Morgan grew up in the countryside, surrounded by animals. Now her mum and a local vet keep her supplied with roadkill and deceased pets. "I get calls from people I've only met once at a party saying their cat brought something in and did I want it. I will drive for miles to collect something, although I'm getting a bit sick of squirrels and pigeons." Both Morgan and Mayer like to exhibit art that, unlike traditional taxidermy, makes no pretence to be alive. "Taxidermists are really quite purist. They like to pretend death doesn't happen and they are resurrecting animals," says Mayer. "By portraying an animal as dead you get much closer to the truth and it is more disturbing for people to look at. I'm not interested in making pieces of work where people aren't challenged." Morgan, too, likes making "dead" sculptures. "Birds have such a good posture when they die - on their backs with their head on one side. It creates a heart shape. Their wings open and I find something quite touching about how they look - peaceful but vulnerable at the same time." Rather than naturalistic settings, she might curl a rat into a wine glass. One such piece, which looked like a bizarre sorbet, fetched £2,200. She currently has pieces showing at Laz Inc gallery in London and at Studeley Castle in Gloucestershire. Might the return of taxidermy pose a threat to endangered species? Six years ago, a taxidermist from north London who illegally sold a virtual zoo of endangered species, including two stuffed tiger cubs less than a week old (killed before their eyes opened), was sentenced to six months in prison. Robert Sclare pleaded guilty to 29 counts of forgery relating to applications to trade. After serving his time, he returned and reopened his business, Get Stuffed. The shop, described after the trial by animal rights campaigners as "an animal shop of horrors" continues to trade today. According to Andy Fisher, head of the Metropolitan Wildlife Crime Unit, there have been no big seizures of illegal taxidermy in the UK since Get Stuffed was raided, although the unit has confiscated illegal taxidermy from elsewhere, including rare birds and sea turtles. Growing interest in taxidermy is not yet reflected in seizures of banned items. "We do monitor various internet sites. If there was a resurgence in rare species then we would be concerned but I think the majority of things being sold are fairly old or are not banned species. It is something we're keeping an eye on." David Cowdrey of the WWF praises the Guild of Taxidermists for fighting wildlife crime and says there is an excellent relationship between many taxidermists and those tackling the trade in illegally killed animals. Most of the problems tend to come from foreign specimens. He urges people not to buy taxidermy from abroad and report any suspicions to the WWF. Cook, meanwhile, advises buyers to beware of buying items said to be antique but without the proof. Fashions are cyclical and the sudden appearance of taxidermy in interior design is an obvious reaction to minimalism, just as that was, in the words of Cook, "a reaction against the antiquated picture of the dusty Victorian drawing room complete with aspidistra and elephant's foot umbrella stand". But part of the resurgence of interest in taxidermy may also be, as Cook puts it, an aesthetic pleasure. She found with taxidermy she could "make a beautiful thing last forever". Mayer admits it can feel "like cutting your mother up" when you make the first incision in a much-loved pet. "I've got a lot of respect for animals, which is why I don't anthropomorphise them. If you are going to mess around with animals you should give them the best possible afterlife." Taxidermist John Cooper & Sons The art of taxidermy today remains very much alive, although gone are the days of every town having its own taxidermist. Today's exponents, however, still use the same basic techniques as their forbears. The oldest existing specimen is said to be a rhinoceros dating from the 16th century, but the collector is highly unlikely to come across anything preserved before 1850. Along with the increased interest in antique fishing tackle, cased and mounted fish are now considered highly collectable and although prices have dropped slightly from the dizzy heights reached a few years ago they are now starting to rise again. The most sought after cases were produced by John Cooper & Sons of Radnor Street, London. The company was started in the 1830's but most of the `Cooper' cases around now date from the 1870's to 1950. Most of the fish were displayed in bowfront glass cases edged with gold line trim and gilt lettering. Occasionally the details of the fish were written inside instead, presumably when insufficient funds were available for the full works! Even if no details exist it is still possible for an expert to date the case as their style changed throughout the years. Early cases had pale blue backgrounds with an abundance of reeds and groundwork. By the 1950's this had progressed to a green backing with a sparse interior. The fish gradually became more heavily painted with every scale accentuated. The trading label along with their address changed frequently and is another helpful factor in dating them accurately. Age is not a particular concern when it comes to value - more consideration is given to the size of fish for its species, the quality of the mounting and the overall aesthetic appearance. Multiple cases and those with original gold lettering are worth a premium. Fish taxidermy tended to be more specialised than other forms and as Cooper's fame grew fish were sent to them from all over the country and although they appeared to have the monopoly other equally good firms were in business. One of these was W. F. Homer, also of London and although examples of their work may be harder to find the search is usually well rewarded as their cases are most attractive. Malloch of Perth also produced excellent specimens, many of which were finely painted plaster casts of trout and salmon often mounted in unique barrel shaped cases. They also produced many of the carved wood game fish earlier this century. If you are lucky enough to find an old case of fish, but in a damaged and sorry state - do not despair! More can be done to restore these back to their former glory than any other form of taxidermy and unlike many antiques, good quality restoration will hardly detract from its value. A number of auction houses now run specialist piscatorial sales. But beware, this can be shaky ground for the uninitiated. Fakes abound and are sometimes hard to distinguish from the genuine article even for the experts. Buying from a reputable dealer will bring you peace of mind and is likely to be cheaper too. So what if you land your dream fish and decide to have it preserved for posterity? No problem, although these days it is normally only game or sea fish that are mounted. The most important thing to remember is NEVER gut the fish as this will ruin the whole procedure. Wrap your catch in plenty of newspaper, taking care not to damage the fins and place in a freezer as soon as possible. Once frozen it can safely remain there for several months. Mounting your trophy can be a long process (fortunately giving you a breathing space to save up for the high cost!). The recent world record 1331b eel set up by us took around five months to complete. Much of this is drying time, depending on the size and oil content of the fish and speeding up this process will only produce a poor result in the long term. After defrosting, the fish is cut along the lateral line, skinned out and cured with a preserving solution. Meanwhile a false inside (a mannequin) is carved from styrofoam to the exact shape of the original fish. The skin is then placed around this and left to dry with regular checks made to correct any oil seepage, a particular problem with salmon. When completely dry the skin has to be painted as by this time it will have lost all its colour. This is the really skilful part and sorts out the men from the boys Dulux, in this instance, is not the right medium!) Several washes of colour are applied to make the fish look as realistic as possible. The casing is a matter of personal choice and although the fish may just be mounted on a wooden board it is not generally recommended. A traditional setting in a bow fronted glass case complete with gilt lettering is still the best method and will become an antique of the future, not to mention the pleasure gained of having a permanent record of the big one that didn't get away! David McKinley Today’s perspective Today taxidermy in its broadest forms has undergone a welcome transformation. It is now traded globally with collectors seeking historical pieces from Europe North America, South Africa and Australia. Demand appears to be exceeding supply currently pushing prices ever higher. Internet services and of course EBay have of course broaden both the availability and appeal. Items by both modern day taxidermy exponents such as Mike Gadd and AJ Armitstead and the most famous Victorian firms now fetch thousands of pounds at auction. The law has also caught up and rightly so with this trade. There are restrictions on the sale and trade of endangered species. The US and the UK, in my opinion have the most comprehensive sets of taxidermy legislation currently in force. Again these can be researched easily and comprehensively on the internet. My suggestion to those who are seeking to begin to collect taxidermy is firstly: • To understand the laws governing the taxidermy trade • Seek out good exponents of the art form • Make sure that the Victorian items purchased are no infected with insects • Research both taxidermy dealers and taxidermy collectors on the internet and when confident go to specialist auction, eBay and purchase from private collectors Wild Birds and the Law The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, Part 1 Definition of a wild bird, and Game Birds Shooting seasons Basic protection Sale of live birds Sale of dead birds Exhibitions Killing and taking birds Birds in captivity Attempting to commit an offence Egg Collections Licences Falconry Fines & penalties Schedules (lists of birds) Definition of a wild bird The definition of a 'wild bird' in Section 27 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 changed in 2004. A new Statutory Instrument (SI 2004 No. 1487) which came into force on 14 July 2004 means that a 'wild bird' as defined by the Act is now any species which is ordinarily resident in or is a visitor to 'the European Territory of any Member State' (of the EU). Previously, 'wild bird' only referred to birds which occurred in Great Britain. This brings the WCA in line with the EC Birds Directive and makes it illegal to be in possession in the UK of any eggs or birds of any species taken from the wild in another Member State. Poultry or Game birds (see lists below) however are not included in the Wildlife and Countryside Act. A bird is only classed as bred in captivity if both parents were in lawful captivity when the egg was laid. Game is covered by the Game Acts which fully protect them during the close season. Basic Protection All birds, their nests and eggs are protected by law and it is thus an offence, with certain exceptions (see below) intentionally to: Kill, injure or take any wild bird. Take, damage or destroy the nest of any wild bird while it is in use or being built. (see time for cutting hedges) Take or destroy the egg of any wild bird. Have in one's possession or control any wild bird (dead or alive) or any part of a wild bird which has been taken in contravention of the Act or the Protection of Birds Act 1954. Have in one's possession or control any egg or part of an egg which has been taken in contravention to the Act. This includes items taken or killed before the passing of the Act. Have in one's possession or control any live bird of prey of any species in the world (with the exception of vultures and condors) unless it is registered and ringed in accordance with the Secretary of State's regulations. Have in one's possession or control any bird of a species occurring on Schedule 4 of the Act unless registered (and in some cases ringed) in accordance with the Secretary of State's regulations. Disturb any wild bird listed on Schedule 1 while it is nest building, or at a nest containing eggs or young, or disturb the dependent young of such a bird Sale of Live Wild Birds and Their Eggs Unless appropriately licensed it is an offence to sell, offer for sale, possess or transport for sale or exchange: Any live bird unless listed on Schedule 3, Part I and then only if aviary bred and close ringed with an approved ring as defined by the Secretary of State's regulations. The egg of any wild bird (whether or not taken in contravention of the Act). Sale of Dead Wild Birds Unless appropriately licensed it is an offence to sell, offer, possess or transport for sale or hire any dead wild birds (or skin or part of such a bird) other than a bird on Schedule 3, Part II or lll unless the vendor has been registered and the bird marked in accordance with regulations laid down by the Secretary of State. Birds listed on Schedule 3, Part II may be sold dead at all times, those on Schedule 3, Part III may only be sold dead from 1 September until 28 February. Game birds may only be sold dead during the open season and for a period of up to 10 days immediately after the end of that season. Exhibition of Wild Birds It is an offence to show at any competition, or in premises in which a competition is being held, any live wild birds unless listed on Schedule 3, Part I and ringed in accordance with the Secretary of State's regulations. Killing and Taking Birds A number of methods of killing, injuring or taking birds are prohibited. These include gins, springs, traps leg pole traps), snares, nets, bird lime, electrical scaring devices and poisonous or stupefying substances; bows or crossbows, explosives (other than firearm ammunition), any gas or smoke, chemical wetting agent, artificial light, mirror or dazzling device, device for illuminating target or sighting device for night shooting, automatic or semi-automatic weapon (unless it is incapable of holding more than 2 rounds in the magazine), or shotgun with an internal diameter at muzzle more than 1 3/4 inches. The use of sound recordings and decoys of live birds tethered, blinded or maimed is illegal. It is also an offence to cause or permit such methods to be used. Larsen traps (in which a magpie is kept in a cage) are legal so long as the captive magpie is properly looked after. It is an offence to use any mechanically propelled vehicle - including boats - in immediate pursuit of a wild bird to kill or take it. It is an offence for any person to organise or participate in any event where captive birds of any sort are liberated to be shot immediately after liberation, or for a landowner or occupier to permit use of land for such an event. Birds in Captivity In addition to the registration requirements for birds of prey and certain other Schedule 1 species (see Basic Protection), it is illegal to keep any bird (excluding poultry) in a cage or other receptacle which is not of sufficient size to permit the bird to stretch its wings freely in all directions. Exceptions to this are if the bird is undergoing veterinary treatment, is in the course of conveyance or is being exhibited: in the latter case the time the bird is so confined should not exceed an aggregate of 72 hours. Attempting to Commit An Offence It is an offence to attempt to commit any offence or have in one's possession anything capable of being used to commit an offence. Exceptions The most notable exceptions to the above provisions are: An authorised person (e.g. a landowner or occupier) may kill or take so called 'pest species' and destroy or take the nest or eggs of such a bird. This is permissible under the terms of general licenses issued by government departments. A person charged with killing or attempting to kill a wild bird, other than one included on Schedule 1, shall not be guilty of an offence if he can show his action was necessary for the purpose of preserving public health or air safety, preventing spread of disease or preventing serious damage to livestock, foodstuffs for livestock, crops, vegetables, fruit, growing timber or fisheries (see licenses). A person may take or kill (or injure in attempting to kill), a bird listed on Schedule 2, Part I outside the close season. Anyone may remove and destroy addled eggs but they must not be kept or sold. Authorised persons may take wild mallards' eggs for breeding, but the young birds must be released into the wild by 31 July. Wild mallard eggs and progeny cannot be sold. Wild eggs must not be taken later than 31 March in England and Wales, or 10 April in Scotland. Anybody can use nets to take wild duck in a duck decoy which was in use prior to 1954. Anybody can use a cage or net to take any game bird for breeding, but it remains unlawful to net any bird in flight or on the ground with a net not propelled by hand. An obvious example of this is bird-ringing for scientific purposes, which almost always requires the netting of birds in flight. This activity can therefore only be undertaken by a licensed person. A person may take a wild bird if he can satisfy the court the bird had been injured other than by his own hand and that his sole purpose was to tend it and then release it when no longer disabled; or he may kill it if he can prove it was so seriously disabled as to be beyond recovery. Sick and injured birds listed on Schedule 4 should be registered with the Department of the Environment or passed to an approved keeper. Egg Collections Under Section 1(3) of the Act, egg collectors may be required to show that any eggs in their possession were lawfully obtained. This means that they must either have been obtained under license, or form part of a collection which was assembled prior to 1954. Licences Licenses may be issued by government departments to kill or take birds and/or eggs for the following purposes: Scientific or educational Ringing or marking Conserving wild birds Protecting any collection of wild birds Falconry or aviculture Taxidermy Preserving public health or air safety Preventing serious damage to livestock, foodstuffs for livestock, crops, vegetables, fruit, growing timber or fisheries Killing a gannet for food on the island of Sula Sgeir Taking a gull's egg for food Taking a lapwing's egg for food before 15 April Licenses may also be granted for the sale of live birds (except those listed on Schedule 3, Part I) and the sale of dead birds or their parts; for scientific examination and photography of a Schedule 1 species at its nest and for the public exhibition or competition of birds not listed on Schedule 3, Part I. Falconry Falconers can obtain a quarry license to take wild birds with birds of prey, for example taking a skylark with a merlin. This is not necessary to take game birds, but a game license must be obtained from a post office. Schedule 2 birds may also be taken without a quarry or game license under certain circumstances- under a general license when causing serious damage to agriculture or for the purpose of conserving wild birds. Fines & penalties The maximum fine that can be imposed in respect of a single bird, nest or egg receiving ordinary protection is £1,000. For offences involving a Schedule 1 species or an illegal method of killing (e.g. poisoning) the maximum is £5,000. In recent years these fines have been rarely applied, but on a few occasions there have been very heavy fines or even imprisonment applied for offences under this Act, in particular for egg-collecting which has been very proactively prosecuted. Some interesting financial information to consider We have been following the resurgence of this Taxidermy over the last 18 months following the disposal of the Jamaica Inn collection. Prices have been steadily creeping ever upwards. Recent review of the situation has provided an insight into this. Data has been collected over this period from EBay, Auction houses and collectors selling to collectors. Some 126 cases (Ward, Cooper, Gardner, Spicer), etc, etc, have been disposed of that we know of giving a sale total of £85,332. This equates to an average price per taxidermy case now selling for £677.23, which in our opinion is perhaps the highest average cost per case seen in recent times. We have no American data to compare this trend and this does not include the sale of the collection of Taxidermy @ Jamaica Inn, which fetched some £475,000 There has also been the suggestion that due to increased demand for this subject, items are becomming increasingly rare to find. Whilst this is true, it is our opinion that taxidermy cases are not rare, just currently unavailable for purchase. Limited discussions with some taxidermy collectors on a confidential basis, shows that in our some circle, there are some 4000 cases in private hands, let alone those people we do not know and specimens that reside in museums and the like. The Victorians were certainly prolific in their output. I am always interested in facts associated with Taxidermy. I am currently composing a document which compares prices of taxidermy collection that have sold recently. Whilst this is of limited value currently, in a few years time it may prove valuable when considering the inevitable “trends” in fashion. I wonder say whether taxidermy will be a valuable in 15 years time as it appears to be today. If you have any data which you may feel is suitable for research then please send it either to Taxidermy4cash.com , we would be very pleased to receive it Many thanks for your time. </div> <div class="source">Article Source: <a href="http://www.articlealley.com/article_107829_22.html">http://www.articlealley.com/article_107829_22.html</a></div> <div class="author"> <div class="authorBio">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</div> <div class="authorUrl"><a href="http://www.historical-taxidermy.com" target="_blank">http://www.historical-taxidermy.com</a></div></author> </body> </html>

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Taxidermy Articles.www.Taxidermy4cash.com Author: www.Taxidermy4cash.com During this period collecting and mounting of both taxidermy birds and animals was undertaken on a commercial scale. Routinely specimens were collected from the wild in a random fashion. Birds, chicks and eggs were taken for scientific purposes and arranged in as natural representation as possible. It is however interesting to observe, when “stuffers” obtained specimens that they did not observe in the wild, and the almost comical presenting of what was meant to be both a natural pose and environment. Thankfully these individuals were in the minority. For the best examples of antique taxidermy to survive that era, it is best to observe the works by: • Henry Ward • Rowland Ward • Peter Spicer • William Hutchings • James Gardner Above are just my personal view of who created the best cases, you may feel free to disagree. However during the above period, almost every small town in the UK has a resident taxidermist plying their trade as a side line to more conventional employment. They heyday of this form of taxidermy display was realistically from around 1875- until 1920. Companies such as Rowland Ward, Peter Spicer continued after that period, but interest in Victoriana, was superseded by Art Deco, and therefore cases of dead animals seemed to have no place. It was not until 1970 onwards did there appear to be resurgence in this subject and today taxidermy historical cases produced by the great firms now command thousands of pounds and are now collected widely. It is interesting to note however that these items were never cheap in their heyday and I suppose that given their notional value now, it might not represent a good investment, when you take into account the “time value of money” principle. Given the resurgence, brought about in part by the disposal of the Jamaica Inn collection mainly produced by Victorian Taxidermist Walter Potter of Bramber in West Sussex. This collection was sold for around £475,000. America Taxidermy The origins of taxidermy can be traced back to the ancient practice of preserving trophies from the hunt. But its modern development arose from the interest in natural science that emerged during the 17th century. In the 19th century taxidermy became firmly established as a museum art in such commercial houses as Maison Verreaux in Paris and Ward's Natural Science Establishment in Rochester, N.Y. One of the most noted American experts in the field was Carl E. Akeley (1864-1926), who first worked at Ward's before moving on to the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago and the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. He is credited with developing the taxidermic method of mounting museum displays to show how animals looked in their natural surroundings. He did this by showing animals in positions suggesting great activity; he also used real or artificial vegetation and painted backgrounds to give an idea of habitat. Akeley's goal was to use taxidermy to create a panorama of Africa and its big game in museums across the United States. His method of mounting skin on a finely molded replica of the body of an animal yielded results with a degree of realism that had not been created before. His contributions elevated taxidermy from a craft to an art form. Taxidermy - The stuff memories are made of. Kim McDonald Having been asked, some time ago to write an article for this directory, I finally sit down, three days before the deadline and put pen to paper - or as modern times dictate, fiddle with my computer. The next problem is what to write about. Do I throw at the reader "A do it yourself guide to stuffing"?, No - I would need the whole book to do that. Do I rant and rave about the wonderful system of taxidermy licensing that has been bestowed upon us or pay homage to the Article 10 - Hell no, that would also need a book and it wouldn't change a thing, although pressure is having some effect. Do I take the opportunity to do a three page advert for myself, hmm, a good idea but then the editor might charge me, so instead I will give you the best advice I can on what to do, should you decide to have a taxidermy specimen mounted. This will, without apology, project into the limelight, a group of dedicated exponents of the taxidermy art known as the Guild of Taxidermists. Why should I advertise the Guild? - Simple, I happen to be the Chairman and I know what benefits it can present the client - that is you. So, let us presume you have found yourself in the unfortunate position of losing (by way of death) a specimen - a valued friend, one of your flock, worth God knows what, in time, money and sentimentality. It happens to us all. Basically, you are presented with three choices:- - you can, with or without the aid of volley of shots fired over the intended burial site, intern it in a wooden casket and return it to the earth or be even more illustrious, if it is of Scandinavian origin, give it a Viking send off. - you can place it in the freezer immediately and then ring up the nearest taxidermist and sell the carcass - it will have a value. It may not necessarily be enough to purchase a new taxidermy specimen but it will recoup some of the financial loss- or again, place it in the freezer and elect to have it mounted, set up, or to put it bluntly, stuffed. Actually, we in the trade do not like the word "stuffed". It conjures up visions of a boggle eyed monster in a glass fronted box, unnaturally taxidermy posed and hanging on the wall of a old museum. These days, a good taxidermist will model your specimen into an anatomically correct position and bear witness to its traits and idiosyncrasies. In other words, providing you pick the right artist, you will get a job worthy of that specimen. Who then is the right person for the job? You may already know of a taxidermist and you may already be happy with the work. Great, but if you don't, it can be a taxing decisionYou presumably will dive into the yellow pages or if you are computer minded, trawl through various websites, both sources being full of advertisers claiming to be the best. So now you know of loads of taxidermists, but which one is best suited? Well, help is at hand. The best place to start is the Guild of Taxidermists. Why?, well we run the only qualification in the U.K. available to the trade. The qualifications are earned by way of "credits" which are mounted specimens judged by a panel to be of an acceptable standard.. A member must gain six credits in any one particular field (Bird, Mammal, Fish/Reptile, Head Mount) before he or she becomes a "Specialist". Likewise an "Accredited" member has to earn six "credits" including Birds, Mammals and Fish/Reptile to attain that title. Judging is not just a case of saying " oh I like that, that's a pass", The panel of three judges plus an adjudicator (all of whom are qualified taxidermists) has to be satisfied that a specimen has passed a required standard. A standard some say is often, if anything, erring towards being too strict. However, a line is drawn and if the work doesn't come up to scratch, it doesn't earn a "credit". A "Master " has to earn three "higher category credits" in each field to be awarded the top qualification. The judging of those credits is done by the panel plus all taxidermists present at our annual Conference. Consequently they are a rare achievement. We have however among our members a few who are well on their way to a Master, having gained qualification in one or more fields. The Guild will be able to advise you of who in your locality is such a member and what they specialise in. If there is no one in your area we will point you to a selection of the nearest. At this point, it is only fair to say that not all taxidermists are members of the Guild. There are a few lost souls out there and one or two are quite good. Likewise, not all members of the Guild are Accredited, Specialists or Masters. Whatever your choice, care of the specimen does not end as soon as it dies. It is imperative that the carcass is frozen as soon after death as possible. It should be well wrapped - a polybag or two or a tupperware box often calms the wife down. The bird treated with the respect it deserves, not just chucked into the corner of the freezer. It is also no good burying it and then 2 weeks later deciding you want it mounted and digging it up. Believe me, that has happenedThe condition of your specimen will dictate the standard of the finished item. Miracles can happen and often do, but if the plumage is in poor condition, this, with possibly a slight improvement once washed and lustred, will show on the finished mount, as will one leg or a bald head. As I say miracles can sometimes be performed, spare part surgery is possible, but at a cost That little word "cost" is also a dictating factor. What will it cost? Well that's down to the particular taxidermist. However as a guide, should you be quoted £50 to mount a Peregrine or for that matter £50 for anything, be very wary. Better still, put the phone down. Without tying anybody down to a particular rate, a Peregrine is more likely to cost in the region of £275. and that's without a case. A Barn Owl, say £175 to £280. On the other side of the coin, if you are quoted £1000 for the same job, seek a second opinion. Another clue to your taxidermists "standing" is often the time taken to complete your order. If you are quoted "it will be finished next week" forget it. That is generally a good pointer to a taxidermist's reputation. Obviously, in this case, they haven't got much work and it begs the question, why? Foot and Mouth scares apart (this slows down the amount of work coming in - especially of Fish and Deer) most good taxidermists will have at least three to six months work and often more to do before getting to your order. So if you are quoted six months, don't worry - at least other people must be satisfied for that practice to have so much work. A bird the size of a Peregrine can take a day or more to mount and two or three weeks to dry. If ordering a case as well, it cannot be sealed until the specimen is completely dried. It could be done in a week but it might not last much longer. Whatever your requirement, the Guild is there for the good of the trade. To achieve that it must give the best advice available to the customer. Although our members are not tied to a contract with the Guild - they operate with a free hand - they are however, subject to a code of conduct and do not wish to bring the Guild or the trade into disrepute. We've had no complaint so far. Tuesday August 8, 2006 The Guardian Emily Mayer's studio is not for the squeamish, especially squeamish dog-lovers. Inside the former workhouse hospital, three very alive Jack Russell-chihuahua crosses gambol among an ark of deceased relatives. Rosie the border collie reclines on a purple sofa. Bertha the foxhound lies, paws crossed, on a workbench. A fox is curled inside a suitcase. Finally, there is The Dog's Bollocks, a taxidermied rat that Mayer believes is her most perfectly recreated rodent yet. He is rolling a jar containing a pair of canine testicles. They came from her neighbour's randy dog, who got the chop. When not turning strong stomachs, taxidermy has long aroused strong emotions. For many, a childhood fascination for the glassy-eyed inhabitants of the Natural History Museum ends when teenage indignation at the abuse of animals kicks in. For generations, the art of preserving dead creatures has been considered at worst barbaric and at best a relic of 19th-century colonialism. Now, however, a new breed of artists and collectors are discovering taxidermy. A manky hoof or a moth-eaten fox head that once adorned your granny's spare room is probably propped on the wall of an expensive restaurant. A new shop selling taxidermy is opening next year in London's achingly fashionable Shoreditch. Kate Moss has just spent several thousand pounds on a piece of taxidermy sculpture - a dead bluetit on a prayer book - by the east London-based artist Polly Morgan. Mayer, an artist and taxidermist who has quietly worked in south Norfolk for a decade, has A-list clients including restaurateur Marco Pierre White and artist Damien Hirst, with whom she has collaborated on a number of works. Taxidermy is also returning to the mainstream: ordinary punters are buying antiques on eBay and at auctions, while a new novel endorsed by Richard & Judy's bookclub - The Conjurer's Bird by Martin Davies - has for a hero a character who once would have been considered an outcast: a taxidermist. Until this renaissance, taxidermy was usually associated with the Victorians and their thirst to discover and classify the natural world. Species found by Captain James Cook in the 18th century were taxidermied and brought home, but until collectors discovered the preservative properties of arsenic, few early specimens survived. (The earliest known surviving example is the Duchess of Richmond's African grey parrot, which died in 1702 and is still perched in Westminster Abbey.) Charles Darwin was a taxidermist and, by the 1890s, cities such as Birmingham boasted 18 taxidermy firms. Most genteel mantelpieces - even in urban areas - were adorned with trophies bagged from the empire - or the local copse. "They were a reminder of nice things in nature beyond the grimy cities," says Dr Pat Morris, the man who authenticated the Duchess of Richmond's parrot. "They were like three-dimensional pictures in people's drawing rooms. Then the real decline took place in the 1950s and 1960s when it became less socially acceptable. There were other things to do with animals rather than shooting them, such as filming and photographing them. And the animals were getting scarcer and scarcer." Furry and feathered exotica remained beyond the pale for decades. Now, as antique specimens and pieces of modern art, dead beasts are creeping back into living rooms. "That stigma that went with stuffed animals has gone. People have lost that 'Urrgh, do I really want a dead animal in my living room?' says John Baddeley of Bonham's auctioneers. "There is also a re-emergence of people who want to buy them because they are a work of art and fit into a particular Victorian interior style." Prices are spiralling. Tatty birds that have sat stolidly through a 100-year afterlife inside a glass case are fetching three times their guide prices at provincial auctions. A private collection of 150 birds including a number by the acclaimed Norwich-based taxidermist Thomas Edward Gunn (1844-1922) was sold at an auction in Diss, Norfolk, last month. A (now endangered) bittern fetched £950 (compared with an estimated price of £260-£300), while an avocet, expected to sell for £60-£90, went for £620. The boom in new taxidermy, meanwhile, is happening despite a number of myths. "People still say 'How many animals do you kill a week?'" says Mayer. "They have no idea that the number of animals who die naturally more than cover the work we do." The laws that govern taxidermy in the UK are strict. Every specimen created after 1947 requires paperwork documenting its history and cause of death. It is legal to pick up most animal and bird species that have died naturally in the UK although there is a list of banned - rare - species. "By far the overwhelming majority of taxidermists came into the profession through a genuine love of wildlife," says Katrina Cook of the Natural History Museum. Nor is taxidermy simply "stuffing animals". The word itself means "to arrange skin". "A good taxidermist is a sculptor, artist and naturalist rolled into one," says Cook. A taxidermist measures the carcass from all angles, notes eye colour and other soft parts, removes the skin, sculpts a model of the body (balsawood and wire for small birds; fibreglass or foam for larger specimens) and sews the skin back on. Anatomical knowledge and a feel for your animal-on-the-move is essential. "There's a lot of fieldwork involved," says Duncan Ferguson, general secretary of the Guild of Taxidermists. "Although nine times out of 10, the animal tells you what position it goes into." "In America, most taxidermists come from the hunting, shooting and fishing fraternity. In this country, they don't," says Mayer, a singular individual who pinned desiccated rabbits to her bedroom wall as a child. An increasing number of contemporary taxidermists are artists. Maurizio Cattelan, who is based in the US, is famous for sculptures such as The Ballad of Trotsky, a horse suspended from the ceiling. Hirst himself tried and failed to buy all 6,000 pieces of taxidermy in Walter Potter's Museum of Curiosities in Cornwall when the collection was auctioned off in 2003. The witty and macabre Potter was famous in Victorian times for his anthropomorphised work - tableaus typically showing squirrels playing cards, a kittens' wedding party and rats rescuing each other from a trap. Mayer does not approve of anthropomorphism but enjoys a similarly playful use of her skills (a novelty beard made from 12 white mice - shown on G2's cover- and a piglet handbag) but has focused on developing a laborious process called erosion moulding. Many traditional taxidermists don't believe it is proper taxidermy but it bestows an astonishing lifelike sheen on the dead. And it is more durable than orthodox taxidermy. Mayer can take Rosie the collie into the shower to wash her fur. Demand for taxidermy may be soaring, but the number of taxidermists is falling. Taxidermists are worried about the lack of young people in the craft. The salary - about £15,000 in museums - is not tempting. "If no kids want to do it, taxidermy is not going to survive," says Mayer. Twenty years ago, the Guild of Taxidermy had 320 members. Now it has 200. Of these, about 10 work in museums and 30 are full-time commercial taxidermists. The rest are part-time (although Ferguson estimates that there may be some 2,000 other hobbyist taxidermists). Many museums, according to Dr Morris, seem to be afraid to support taxidermy because it is politically incorrect. "There is a suspicion that museums are frightened of offending people," he says. Cook, who works to preserve the Natural History Museum's bird collection, argues that taxidermy remains crucial in science and education. "Preserving the skin of an animal is vital to the study of natural history. It has enabled us to identify and describe specimens for science and keep what we call 'type specimens'. Taxidermy is sadly all we have left of extinct species such as the Great Auk or Passenger Pigeon." One new taxidermist is artist Polly Morgan. The contents of her freezer are not what you would expect of a well-spoken 26-year-old. Wrapped in Sainsbury's bags are a large weasel (with frosted whiskers), a robin, a huge grey squirrel from London, a bat, two white rabbits, a rat, a guinea pig, a chubby wood pigeon, a bag of mice and a tiny quail chick. "I didn't think I could learn because you don't normally meet taxidermists," she says. "And you tend to think of it being archaic or a byproduct of hunting, and I'm not into hunting." Morgan grew up in the countryside, surrounded by animals. Now her mum and a local vet keep her supplied with roadkill and deceased pets. "I get calls from people I've only met once at a party saying their cat brought something in and did I want it. I will drive for miles to collect something, although I'm getting a bit sick of squirrels and pigeons." Both Morgan and Mayer like to exhibit art that, unlike traditional taxidermy, makes no pretence to be alive. "Taxidermists are really quite purist. They like to pretend death doesn't happen and they are resurrecting animals," says Mayer. "By portraying an animal as dead you get much closer to the truth and it is more disturbing for people to look at. I'm not interested in making pieces of work where people aren't challenged." Morgan, too, likes making "dead" sculptures. "Birds have such a good posture when they die - on their backs with their head on one side. It creates a heart shape. Their wings open and I find something quite touching about how they look - peaceful but vulnerable at the same time." Rather than naturalistic settings, she might curl a rat into a wine glass. One such piece, which looked like a bizarre sorbet, fetched £2,200. She currently has pieces showing at Laz Inc gallery in London and at Studeley Castle in Gloucestershire. Might the return of taxidermy pose a threat to endangered species? Six years ago, a taxidermist from north London who illegally sold a virtual zoo of endangered species, including two stuffed tiger cubs less than a week old (killed before their eyes opened), was sentenced to six months in prison. Robert Sclare pleaded guilty to 29 counts of forgery relating to applications to trade. After serving his time, he returned and reopened his business, Get Stuffed. The shop, described after the trial by animal rights campaigners as "an animal shop of horrors" continues to trade today. According to Andy Fisher, head of the Metropolitan Wildlife Crime Unit, there have been no big seizures of illegal taxidermy in the UK since Get Stuffed was raided, although the unit has confiscated illegal taxidermy from elsewhere, including rare birds and sea turtles. Growing interest in taxidermy is not yet reflected in seizures of banned items. "We do monitor various internet sites. If there was a resurgence in rare species then we would be concerned but I think the majority of things being sold are fairly old or are not banned species. It is something we're keeping an eye on." David Cowdrey of the WWF praises the Guild of Taxidermists for fighting wildlife crime and says there is an excellent relationship between many taxidermists and those tackling the trade in illegally killed animals. Most of the problems tend to come from foreign specimens. He urges people not to buy taxidermy from abroad and report any suspicions to the WWF. Cook, meanwhile, advises buyers to beware of buying items said to be antique but without the proof. Fashions are cyclical and the sudden appearance of taxidermy in interior design is an obvious reaction to minimalism, just as that was, in the words of Cook, "a reaction against the antiquated picture of the dusty Victorian drawing room complete with aspidistra and elephant's foot umbrella stand". But part of the resurgence of interest in taxidermy may also be, as Cook puts it, an aesthetic pleasure. She found with taxidermy she could "make a beautiful thing last forever". Mayer admits it can feel "like cutting your mother up" when you make the first incision in a much-loved pet. "I've got a lot of respect for animals, which is why I don't anthropomorphise them. If you are going to mess around with animals you should give them the best possible afterlife." Taxidermist John Cooper & Sons The art of taxidermy today remains very much alive, although gone are the days of every town having its own taxidermist. Today's exponents, however, still use the same basic techniques as their forbears. The oldest existing specimen is said to be a rhinoceros dating from the 16th century, but the collector is highly unlikely to come across anything preserved before 1850. Along with the increased interest in antique fishing tackle, cased and mounted fish are now considered highly collectable and although prices have dropped slightly from the dizzy heights reached a few years ago they are now starting to rise again. The most sought after cases were produced by John Cooper & Sons of Radnor Street, London. The company was started in the 1830's but most of the `Cooper' cases around now date from the 1870's to 1950. Most of the fish were displayed in bowfront glass cases edged with gold line trim and gilt lettering. Occasionally the details of the fish were written inside instead, presumably when insufficient funds were available for the full works! Even if no details exist it is still possible for an expert to date the case as their style changed throughout the years. Early cases had pale blue backgrounds with an abundance of reeds and groundwork. By the 1950's this had progressed to a green backing with a sparse interior. The fish gradually became more heavily painted with every scale accentuated. The trading label along with their address changed frequently and is another helpful factor in dating them accurately. Age is not a particular concern when it comes to value - more consideration is given to the size of fish for its species, the quality of the mounting and the overall aesthetic appearance. Multiple cases and those with original gold lettering are worth a premium. Fish taxidermy tended to be more specialised than other forms and as Cooper's fame grew fish were sent to them from all over the country and although they appeared to have the monopoly other equally good firms were in business. One of these was W. F. Homer, also of London and although examples of their work may be harder to find the search is usually well rewarded as their cases are most attractive. Malloch of Perth also produced excellent specimens, many of which were finely painted plaster casts of trout and salmon often mounted in unique barrel shaped cases. They also produced many of the carved wood game fish earlier this century. If you are lucky enough to find an old case of fish, but in a damaged and sorry state - do not despair! More can be done to restore these back to their former glory than any other form of taxidermy and unlike many antiques, good quality restoration will hardly detract from its value. A number of auction houses now run specialist piscatorial sales. But beware, this can be shaky ground for the uninitiated. Fakes abound and are sometimes hard to distinguish from the genuine article even for the experts. Buying from a reputable dealer will bring you peace of mind and is likely to be cheaper too. So what if you land your dream fish and decide to have it preserved for posterity? No problem, although these days it is normally only game or sea fish that are mounted. The most important thing to remember is NEVER gut the fish as this will ruin the whole procedure. Wrap your catch in plenty of newspaper, taking care not to damage the fins and place in a freezer as soon as possible. Once frozen it can safely remain there for several months. Mounting your trophy can be a long process (fortunately giving you a breathing space to save up for the high cost!). The recent world record 1331b eel set up by us took around five months to complete. Much of this is drying time, depending on the size and oil content of the fish and speeding up this process will only produce a poor result in the long term. After defrosting, the fish is cut along the lateral line, skinned out and cured with a preserving solution. Meanwhile a false inside (a mannequin) is carved from styrofoam to the exact shape of the original fish. The skin is then placed around this and left to dry with regular checks made to correct any oil seepage, a particular problem with salmon. When completely dry the skin has to be painted as by this time it will have lost all its colour. This is the really skilful part and sorts out the men from the boys Dulux, in this instance, is not the right medium!) Several washes of colour are applied to make the fish look as realistic as possible. The casing is a matter of personal choice and although the fish may just be mounted on a wooden board it is not generally recommended. A traditional setting in a bow fronted glass case complete with gilt lettering is still the best method and will become an antique of the future, not to mention the pleasure gained of having a permanent record of the big one that didn't get away! David McKinley Today’s perspective Today taxidermy in its broadest forms has undergone a welcome transformation. It is now traded globally with collectors seeking historical pieces from Europe North America, South Africa and Australia. Demand appears to be exceeding supply currently pushing prices ever higher. Internet services and of course EBay have of course broaden both the availability and appeal. Items by both modern day taxidermy exponents such as Mike Gadd and AJ Armitstead and the most famous Victorian firms now fetch thousands of pounds at auction. The law has also caught up and rightly so with this trade. There are restrictions on the sale and trade of endangered species. The US and the UK, in my opinion have the most comprehensive sets of taxidermy legislation currently in force. Again these can be researched easily and comprehensively on the internet. My suggestion to those who are seeking to begin to collect taxidermy is firstly: • To understand the laws governing the taxidermy trade • Seek out good exponents of the art form • Make sure that the Victorian items purchased are no infected with insects • Research both taxidermy dealers and taxidermy collectors on the internet and when confident go to specialist auction, eBay and purchase from private collectors Wild Birds and the Law The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, Part 1 Definition of a wild bird, and Game Birds Shooting seasons Basic protection Sale of live birds Sale of dead birds Exhibitions Killing and taking birds Birds in captivity Attempting to commit an offence Egg Collections Licences Falconry Fines & penalties Schedules (lists of birds) Definition of a wild bird The definition of a 'wild bird' in Section 27 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 changed in 2004. A new Statutory Instrument (SI 2004 No. 1487) which came into force on 14 July 2004 means that a 'wild bird' as defined by the Act is now any species which is ordinarily resident in or is a visitor to 'the European Territory of any Member State' (of the EU). Previously, 'wild bird' only referred to birds which occurred in Great Britain. This brings the WCA in line with the EC Birds Directive and makes it illegal to be in possession in the UK of any eggs or birds of any species taken from the wild in another Member State. Poultry or Game birds (see lists below) however are not included in the Wildlife and Countryside Act. A bird is only classed as bred in captivity if both parents were in lawful captivity when the egg was laid. Game is covered by the Game Acts which fully protect them during the close season. Basic Protection All birds, their nests and eggs are protected by law and it is thus an offence, with certain exceptions (see below) intentionally to: Kill, injure or take any wild bird. Take, damage or destroy the nest of any wild bird while it is in use or being built. (see time for cutting hedges) Take or destroy the egg of any wild bird. Have in one's possession or control any wild bird (dead or alive) or any part of a wild bird which has been taken in contravention of the Act or the Protection of Birds Act 1954. Have in one's possession or control any egg or part of an egg which has been taken in contravention to the Act. This includes items taken or killed before the passing of the Act. Have in one's possession or control any live bird of prey of any species in the world (with the exception of vultures and condors) unless it is registered and ringed in accordance with the Secretary of State's regulations. Have in one's possession or control any bird of a species occurring on Schedule 4 of the Act unless registered (and in some cases ringed) in accordance with the Secretary of State's regulations. Disturb any wild bird listed on Schedule 1 while it is nest building, or at a nest containing eggs or young, or disturb the dependent young of such a bird Sale of Live Wild Birds and Their Eggs Unless appropriately licensed it is an offence to sell, offer for sale, possess or transport for sale or exchange: Any live bird unless listed on Schedule 3, Part I and then only if aviary bred and close ringed with an approved ring as defined by the Secretary of State's regulations. The egg of any wild bird (whether or not taken in contravention of the Act). Sale of Dead Wild Birds Unless appropriately licensed it is an offence to sell, offer, possess or transport for sale or hire any dead wild birds (or skin or part of such a bird) other than a bird on Schedule 3, Part II or lll unless the vendor has been registered and the bird marked in accordance with regulations laid down by the Secretary of State. Birds listed on Schedule 3, Part II may be sold dead at all times, those on Schedule 3, Part III may only be sold dead from 1 September until 28 February. Game birds may only be sold dead during the open season and for a period of up to 10 days immediately after the end of that season. Exhibition of Wild Birds It is an offence to show at any competition, or in premises in which a competition is being held, any live wild birds unless listed on Schedule 3, Part I and ringed in accordance with the Secretary of State's regulations. Killing and Taking Birds A number of methods of killing, injuring or taking birds are prohibited. These include gins, springs, traps leg pole traps), snares, nets, bird lime, electrical scaring devices and poisonous or stupefying substances; bows or crossbows, explosives (other than firearm ammunition), any gas or smoke, chemical wetting agent, artificial light, mirror or dazzling device, device for illuminating target or sighting device for night shooting, automatic or semi-automatic weapon (unless it is incapable of holding more than 2 rounds in the magazine), or shotgun with an internal diameter at muzzle more than 1 3/4 inches. The use of sound recordings and decoys of live birds tethered, blinded or maimed is illegal. It is also an offence to cause or permit such methods to be used. Larsen traps (in which a magpie is kept in a cage) are legal so long as the captive magpie is properly looked after. It is an offence to use any mechanically propelled vehicle - including boats - in immediate pursuit of a wild bird to kill or take it. It is an offence for any person to organise or participate in any event where captive birds of any sort are liberated to be shot immediately after liberation, or for a landowner or occupier to permit use of land for such an event. Birds in Captivity In addition to the registration requirements for birds of prey and certain other Schedule 1 species (see Basic Protection), it is illegal to keep any bird (excluding poultry) in a cage or other receptacle which is not of sufficient size to permit the bird to stretch its wings freely in all directions. Exceptions to this are if the bird is undergoing veterinary treatment, is in the course of conveyance or is being exhibited: in the latter case the time the bird is so confined should not exceed an aggregate of 72 hours. Attempting to Commit An Offence It is an offence to attempt to commit any offence or have in one's possession anything capable of being used to commit an offence. Exceptions The most notable exceptions to the above provisions are: An authorised person (e.g. a landowner or occupier) may kill or take so called 'pest species' and destroy or take the nest or eggs of such a bird. This is permissible under the terms of general licenses issued by government departments. A person charged with killing or attempting to kill a wild bird, other than one included on Schedule 1, shall not be guilty of an offence if he can show his action was necessary for the purpose of preserving public health or air safety, preventing spread of disease or preventing serious damage to livestock, foodstuffs for livestock, crops, vegetables, fruit, growing timber or fisheries (see licenses). A person may take or kill (or injure in attempting to kill), a bird listed on Schedule 2, Part I outside the close season. Anyone may remove and destroy addled eggs but they must not be kept or sold. Authorised persons may take wild mallards' eggs for breeding, but the young birds must be released into the wild by 31 July. Wild mallard eggs and progeny cannot be sold. Wild eggs must not be taken later than 31 March in England and Wales, or 10 April in Scotland. Anybody can use nets to take wild duck in a duck decoy which was in use prior to 1954. Anybody can use a cage or net to take any game bird for breeding, but it remains unlawful to net any bird in flight or on the ground with a net not propelled by hand. An obvious example of this is bird-ringing for scientific purposes, which almost always requires the netting of birds in flight. This activity can therefore only be undertaken by a licensed person. A person may take a wild bird if he can satisfy the court the bird had been injured other than by his own hand and that his sole purpose was to tend it and then release it when no longer disabled; or he may kill it if he can prove it was so seriously disabled as to be beyond recovery. Sick and injured birds listed on Schedule 4 should be registered with the Department of the Environment or passed to an approved keeper. Egg Collections Under Section 1(3) of the Act, egg collectors may be required to show that any eggs in their possession were lawfully obtained. This means that they must either have been obtained under license, or form part of a collection which was assembled prior to 1954. Licences Licenses may be issued by government departments to kill or take birds and/or eggs for the following purposes: Scientific or educational Ringing or marking Conserving wild birds Protecting any collection of wild birds Falconry or aviculture Taxidermy Preserving public health or air safety Preventing serious damage to livestock, foodstuffs for livestock, crops, vegetables, fruit, growing timber or fisheries Killing a gannet for food on the island of Sula Sgeir Taking a gull's egg for food Taking a lapwing's egg for food before 15 April Licenses may also be granted for the sale of live birds (except those listed on Schedule 3, Part I) and the sale of dead birds or their parts; for scientific examination and photography of a Schedule 1 species at its nest and for the public exhibition or competition of birds not listed on Schedule 3, Part I. Falconry Falconers can obtain a quarry license to take wild birds with birds of prey, for example taking a skylark with a merlin. This is not necessary to take game birds, but a game license must be obtained from a post office. Schedule 2 birds may also be taken without a quarry or game license under certain circumstances- under a general license when causing serious damage to agriculture or for the purpose of conserving wild birds. Fines & penalties The maximum fine that can be imposed in respect of a single bird, nest or egg receiving ordinary protection is £1,000. For offences involving a Schedule 1 species or an illegal method of killing (e.g. poisoning) the maximum is £5,000. In recent years these fines have been rarely applied, but on a few occasions there have been very heavy fines or even imprisonment applied for offences under this Act, in particular for egg-collecting which has been very proactively prosecuted. Some interesting financial information to consider We have been following the resurgence of this Taxidermy over the last 18 months following the disposal of the Jamaica Inn collection. Prices have been steadily creeping ever upwards. Recent review of the situation has provided an insight into this. Data has been collected over this period from EBay, Auction houses and collectors selling to collectors. Some 126 cases (Ward, Cooper, Gardner, Spicer), etc, etc, have been disposed of that we know of giving a sale total of £85,332. This equates to an average price per taxidermy case now selling for £677.23, which in our opinion is perhaps the highest average cost per case seen in recent times. We have no American data to compare this trend and this does not include the sale of the collection of Taxidermy @ Jamaica Inn, which fetched some £475,000 There has also been the suggestion that due to increased demand for this subject, items are becomming increasingly rare to find. Whilst this is true, it is our opinion that taxidermy cases are not rare, just currently unavailable for purchase. Limited discussions with some taxidermy collectors on a confidential basis, shows that in our some circle, there are some 4000 cases in private hands, let alone those people we do not know and specimens that reside in museums and the like. The Victorians were certainly prolific in their output. I am always interested in facts associated with Taxidermy. I am currently composing a document which compares prices of taxidermy collection that have sold recently. Whilst this is of limited value currently, in a few years time it may prove valuable when considering the inevitable “trends” in fashion. I wonder say whether taxidermy will be a valuable in 15 years time as it appears to be today. If you have any data which you may feel is suitable for research then please send it either to Taxidermy4cash.com , we would be very pleased to receive it Many thanks for your time. Article Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_107829_22.html About the Author: 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 http://www.historical-taxidermy.com

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