Vanderbilt Museum's Whale Shark

Fantastic Link. I cant even fathom the work that was put into such a project, let alone sheer time, patience, and skill. Great job to all that were a part of such a historical piece.

 

That looks awesome! I'm glad that they could save it. I wonder how long it originally took to complete that, and how long it took to restore it?

 

Talk about talent that has no limits. Great job to everyone involved, I'd love to see it in person.

 

Very Very Nice. Thank you for sharing and congrats to Rick and others involved.

 

Increadable! To be able to have the opportunity to reserect this treasure must be rewarding. Congratulation to all and thank you Rick for sharing in previous weeks.
Roger Haus

 

Pretty cool project !
Thanks for posting Ken !
Great results on the Rhinedon !
Curious....how was the job Quoted Rick ???? ???

 

Fantastic restoration work... you guys should come to Gothenburg, Sweden, and preform your magic on the world´s largest taxidermied creature - a skin mounted blue whale, I think it is the only one in the world. It is a young male, 16 meters long ( that should be about 48 feet, right?) and living weight was 25 tons. It was mounted 1865 . 66 and could use a facelift like that shark... look at it by clicking on the link:

http://www.gnm.se/gnm/valfilm.asp

BigSwede

 

Holy cow. He looked SO HORRIBLE in the first pictures and now he's just BEAUTIFUL! GREAT JOB! Wow. Holy begoshka that's a LOT of work. Thank you SO MUCH to everyone who participated in the saving from both a technical, mechanical, financial and historical angle. I may never see it...but if I'm ever in...researched it...Centerport, New York (?)...you can bet your last biscuit I'll be in that room. Wow.

 

This was a restoration , research and problem solving project that any taxidermist would be honored to work on. You have to know the foundational basics of taxidermy to even begin to problem solve this project along with technical abilities not related to taxidermy and a gift of common sense. You all should be proud of your accomplishment for posterity as we all are proud of you .

 

Thanks Ken, for posting such a great story!

And Rick, congratulations to you and David Schwendeman! What an awesome job your team did, saving possibly the largest skin mount to have ever been done. What a national treasure!

There is a great perspective about taxidermy (skins) offered by Stephanie Gress (curator) during the video, “There is a human connection knowing that you are in the presence of a creature that once lived and is real. This makes it particularly exciting for visitors!”

Thanks, awesome job Rick and everyone else.

Jeff

 

Absolutely fantastic. Congrats to those who've done such a great job on the restoration also...........
KUDOS to Mr. Schwendeman who so accurately stated ..." I think of taxidermy as the ultimate in terms of conservation and wise use of our natural resources.
Just think....... If everyone thought this way...our industry would be quite different. Just wish there was an entity out there to convey this great concept to the general public.

 

Jeff, I still don't have you on my Christmas card list, but that was an acute pickup of a very profound statement. Thanks for reminding us. As Richard stated subliminally, I wonder if today's artisans have a grasp of how that mount was originally done and how much MUCH better it looks today because of what those who came before us have passed on to us. Beautiful job guys. Congratulations because of your work WE ALL WIN.

 

Big Thanks to Ken and Jimmy for bringing this article to the taxidermy community. A year of studying working and having fun reconstructing and resurrection the largest fish in the world! My old friend and partner in Fish crime the most talented Mr. George Dante Jr, want to extend the gracious feeling of gratitude to be recognized by our peers and the taxidermy community here as well as the museum community for efforts made in this project. I certainly remember the phione call by George telling me that Mr. David B. Schwendeman wanted us to head his team as artist/musesum model makers/fish taxidermist and all round talented guys in the biggest and possible most important line item of our resumes. The work and research that went into this project as well as the many hands we had with all the talent the group brought this project together. I will certainly list the members and the helpers who came together to assist Team Schwendeman in the reserection of the Great Whale Shark!

As Richard Christoforo once said to me over 25 years ago "one day you may be in a situation where you have to be a real taxidermist and not just a guy whop mounts specimens". I had no idea what he was getting at then but over the years I discovered that Taxidermy is some times the art making and doing every thing form the perspective of historical preservation and for us this literally meet the words and meaning of Richard Christoforo. To make the materails, the shape the anatomy, the unique tools, create the new proaccess of recreation for this fish even the making of the eyes! No paint Sheduals for this fish just lots of study of reference and more study! The old ways of Rockwell, Clark, and Akeley were all incorporated with a incorporation of the new materials and innovation that the fathers of taxidermy touched on and intended to hand down nearly 100 years ago! We have evolved and this is impart a Major credit to the real Masters of taxidermy of the days of old.

Again I am grateful to all who have taken the time to view this article. I hope it aids in the inspiration of the innovation and the spirit of the modern taxidermist. Thanks George, Dave and Bob D for never letting day go by without a laugh and the most interesting conversations! True artist you all are! The Breakthrough Article will be finshed after the unavailing this Saturday August 9th 2008 at the Vanderbilt!
My Best!
Rick Krane

 

WAY TO GO GUYS, So very wonderful to be a part of history in the past, present and future..You sure can be proud!!!!!!!!
Thanks Ken for bringing this to us.. Treva

 

That whale shark restoration is absoultely amazing!!! A true artifact that can live on for another century. Congradulations to all on the team.

 

Awesome job, Rick and team . I know it was a great deal of hard work , but very rewarding to all of you, at the same time . It also speaks well of the art and importance of taxidermy . Hopefully more people will appreciate the taxidermy profession , after reading the article and seeing the great job you all did, in the restoration of this treasure. Congratulations on a job well done !