The Natural History and Taxidermy Sale on 7th August was led by a circa early 20th century Bengal Tiger shoulder mount, attributed to Theobald Bros, which sold for £9,000 (all figures exclude buyer’s premium). Theobald Bros operated as Naturalists and Taxidermists in Mysore, India from 1862 to 1919.
A New Zealand North Island Brown Kiwi from the early 20th century sold well, too, at £2,500, and a Giant South American River Turtle Blonde Shell from the early 20th century sold for £2,200. Exceeding expectations was a large Collection of European and World Butterflies, Moths and Insects dating from the mid-20th century through to the 21st century, which sold for £2,800. The collection comprised over nine hundred and fifty tropical and European specimens, and a large amount of collection data.
Two good lots made by the famed Rowland Ward Ltd of Piccadilly, London were a Cased Montagu’s Harrier (sold for £800) and a Cased pair of White-Fronted Geese (sold for £750. Further notable results for bird specimens in the sale included a Cased Rock Bunting (sold for £380) and a Cased Pair of Great Spotted Woodpeckers (sold for £450), both by David L Keningale of Warwickshire.
Finally, a circa late 19th century Sawfish Rostrum sold for £480, and a large Fibreglass Model of an Atlantic Salmon caught by J.C. Leggett on the Hampshire Avon in 1988 sold for £480.
