20th May, 2022 10:30 GMT/BST
The James Harrison Collection of Birds
134
Taxidermy: A Kentish Plover & Sanderling, dated 1925 & 1933, both purchased from George Bristow, Taxidermist, St Leonards, Hastings, a full mount adult female Kentish Plover, mounted upon a small pebble covered base, overall height 12.5cm, with attached data label - Kentish Plover, Adult Female, 19th 5th 1925, Lydd, Kent, together with a full mount adult male Sanderling, mounted upon a painted faux rock base, overall height 19cm, with attached data label - Sanderling, Male, 10th 5th 1933, Rye Harbour, Sussex. (2), What appears to be these two birds are mentioned on a list accompanying a letter from George Bristow to Dr James Harrison dated 21st June 1935. It looks as though Bristow had purchased, or was selling, an accumulation of older specimens as they date from 1913 to 1933.
Sold for £130
Estimated at £120 - £180
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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