Hi to all.
For over 90 years our family have been in possesion of a large wooden cabinet with a glass front.This cabinet contains many wild birds,bats,weasels and the centre piece being an OWL with its prey(another small bird) under its foot.All these specimens are mounted beutifully on a tree structure about 3 foot high.
This cabinet was displayed in my Aunts house for many years(scaring me many a time when i was a kid!),all creatures were captured and mounted by my great grandfather and when my Aunt died she left the case to my Father.
While not knowing anything about taxidermy,i do believe this display is very valuable,and my father has asked me to do some research with regards to a valuation for the piece( even though it could never be replaced).
Any advice on who to approach for an unbiased appraisel would be very much appriectiated.
Regards. Michael Ferguson.
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First of all , you would need to know what species you have . I would then consider calling a museum in your area and ask someone there , as in this country , they are all illegal to own . Check out e bay as they are always selling items like this on it . Rick
if they are 90 years old? I know a a few establishments that have birds such as owls on the wall, and Im told that they were taken and mounted before they were protected therefore are legal to own.
I guess I really dont know Im just asking the question.
Kenny Everett at Two hoots taxidermy. See his web site at: http://www.twohootstaxidermy.co.uk/ He would be able to give you a very accurate and straight up answer, as he has been in the business of purchasing and selling antique taxidermy cases for many years. You should however expect an appraisal fee since the years of being in the business and giving accurate consultation should not be a free service. A perusal of his website will however give you a good idea of his breadth of knowledge, as he has numerous cases currently for sale with the price.
The most valuable cases are those by very famous taxidermists or taxidermy businesses - Rowland Ward, Spicer, Handcock, etc. but if your grandfather was mentioned in Herriots' directory of British Taxidermists it would be more valuable.
Ken is a great authority and lives on your side of the pond, where things would be valued a different way. The species involved, the quality of the work, and as the T says, the name of the taxidermist all would come into play.
Robert Chinnery of the Victorian Taxidermy Company would also be a good contact.
Do not be shocked if there is not a huge value involved. On the UK side a lot more value is placed on the name of the taxidermist involved. If your grandfather was an amateur taxidermist, and the species are common local ones, you may not get a huge valuation, regardless of the quality of the work.
If your grandfather was Peter Spicer, or Roland Ward, and the species are all extinct, well the case might be priceless.
Wide range in there.
Contact Ken or Robert. Both are very nice and easy to deal with and will give you accurate valuations.
Good luck!
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