20th May, 2022 10:30 GMT/BST

The James Harrison Collection of Birds

 
  Lot 94
 

94

Taxidermy: A Red Knot (Calidris canutus), dated 1926, purchased from George Bristow, Taxidermist, St Leonards, Hastings, a full mount adult male in summer breeding plumage, with head turning slightly to the left, mounted upon a painted faux rock base, overall height 17.5cm, small data label to underside stating bought from GB, with attached data label - Knot, Male Summer, 17th 5th 1926, Rye Harbour, 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.

Sold for £150
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. 

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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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