Taxidermy & Natural History

Published between 1750-73, Plantae selectae quarum imagines ad exemplaria naturalia Londini in hortis curiosorum (‘A selection of plants from natural specimens nurtured in London’s curious gardens’) is considered the most important botanical work ever printed in Germany.

The Science, Medicine & Early Technology auction at Flints (25% buyer’s premium) in Thatcham, Berkshire on May 1 was led by a complete seven-volume set of The Mineral Conchology of Great Britain by James Sowerby (1757-1822).

The eggs of the extinct Aepyornis maximus or elephant bird are the largest of any known species.

A Victorian cased pair of the extinct New Zealand huia sold for £220,000 (plus 24% buyer’s premium) in Tennants’ Natural History and Taxidermy sale.

Over the past decade the buyer profile has widened as fossils and minerals become decorative objects

Carolina Valdés Vignoli of Carol Tresor concentrates on collectors’ pieces of mineralogical interest and shipwreck pottery. She is preparing an exhibition of minerals in September at the LAPADA fair in Mayfair.

This mahogany 12-drawer cabinet of minerals, rocks and fossils carries the printed trade label reading Arranged and Sold by J Tennant, Mineralogist by Appointment to Her Majesty, 149 Strand London.

Many animals stuffed by taxidermists stand out as fiercesome beasts that could easily have turned on the hunters themselves.

A very fine Victorian butterfly collection formed between c.1880-1920 was offered by Minster Auctions (20% buyer’s premium) in Leominster on November 24.

Giquello et Associés is selling this fossilised skeleton of Zephyr from the Iduanodon family of dinosaurs which is more than 150 million years old.