20th May, 2022 10:30 GMT/BST
The James Harrison Collection of Birds
194
Taxidermy: An Early 20th Century Eurasian Hoopoe (Upupa epops), dated 1927, purchased from George Bristow, Taxidermist, St Leonards, Hastings, a full mount adult male, perched upon a small branch, mounted upon a square beach wood base, overall height 36cm, dated to underside ♂ May 27 1927, Pett Sussex. What appears to be this bird is 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. The Hoopoe is listed as a male Pett and dated 27 May 1929, but the handwritten data under the base gives the same data but dated 1927. This could be a small transcription error, Bristow was evidently prone to this type of error (see Harrison 1968 page 92), the list notes that Harrison valued it at 5 shillings.
Sold for £180
Estimated at £250 - £350
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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