20th May, 2022 10:30 GMT/BST
The James Harrison Collection of Birds
120
Taxidermy: Common Guillemot (Uria aalge), dated 1921, by Charles Kirk (1872-1922), Taxidermist, 56-58 Great Western Street, Glasgow, a fine example of a full mount adult female, sat in upright position with head slightly raised, mounted upon a rectangular beach wood base, overall height 33cm, bearing handwritten label to underside - Common Guillemot ♀, Littlestone, Kent, 14:2:21, formerly within the Macmillan Collection, see Birds of Kent p482. Previously part of the Dr A, McMillan collection of Romney, Kent, who bequeathed his collection to Dr James Harrison upon his death.
Sold for £500
Estimated at £180 - £280
Auction: The James Harrison Collection of Birds, 20th May, 2022
The James Harrison Collection comprises over 200 lots of cased and freemount birds dating from the late Victorian era to the middle of the 20th century. The collection includes rare and unusual examples, such as a passenger pigeon and a kiwi, as well as mounts by the likes of Rowland Ward, James Gardner, Charles Kirk and George Bristow.
James Maurice Harrison (1892-1971) was an ornithologist and one of the last great bird collectors, who gathered large numbers of specimens to study moult patterns, distribution, geographical and colour variation within and between species. A GP by profession, Harrison filled his family home and Doctor's Surgery, Bowerwood House in Kent, with his extraordinary collection.
Viewing
Wednesday 18th May 10:00am - 4:00pm, Thursday 19th May 10:00am - 4:00pm, and the morning of the sale from 8am. Viewing is open to the public, there is no need to make an appointment.
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