20th May, 2022 10:30 GMT/BST
The James Harrison Collection of Birds
36
Taxidermy: Short-Toed Treecreepers & European Treecreepers, dated 1939, by Ernst Flükiger, Interlaken, Switzerland, a pair of full mount adults, male and female, one sat atop a painted cut branch, the other clinging to the trunk, mounted above painted faux groundwork beneath, overall height 19.5cm, bearing taxidermist's full paper trade / data label to underside, Ernst Flükiger supplied James Harrison with many cabinet skins and mounted specimens of European birds, they were neatly prepared and his skills were acknowledged in Harrison's Bird Taxidermy (1964 - and later edition) by both editions being dedicated to him as - "My old friend Ernst Flükiger of Interlaken, Switzerland, a Past Master of the Art", together with a pair of full mount adult European Treecreepers, mounted by Dr James Harrison, male and female, both clinging to a short tree stump, mounted upon a square beach wood base, overall height 33.5cm, bearing Dr James Harrison data label to underside - December 22nd & 26th, 1939, Sevenoaks, Kent, (4).
Sold for £130
Estimated at £100 - £150
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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