The jewel in any collector’s crown up for auction

This Sunday Victor Mee's auctioneers have three extremely rare pieces of taxidermy going under the hammer. Taxidermy in recent years has increased in popularity, as people are becoming more adventurous and not afraid to mix different eras. Lot 396 an African Zebra head estimated at 1500 to 2500 and lot 344 a South American Baboon mounted on a display stand. Finally, we have a large and exceptional quality case of 19th. C. taxidermy pheasants (lot 367) – ‘The Pheasants of the World’ by John Leadbeater the leading 19th C Taxidermist and holder of the Royal Warrant of Queen Victoria. John Leadbeater was chief taxidermist at the museum of Victoria (Australia) and ornithologist to Queen Victoria.

There is a second hand written label for Lady Henry Somerset. We also believe this case may have come from Sandringham house where the second cabinet is currently housed in the trophy room, also depicting a taxidermy case of Galliformes. The case in Sandringham is the first part of the Galliformes, which is the hens and turkeys. The second case is to be made up of game birds, like the one we are offering for sale. 
 

Jewel in crown

It is one of the rarest lots to come into Victor Mee’s auction room in recent years. The taxidermy case is of museum quality as it is on a William IV mahogany base. John Leadbeater’s trade label can clearly still be seen on the back of case, highlighting the value of the item. It would be the jewel in any collector’s crown.
The taxidermy case came out of the 8th Marquis of Waterford, Curraghamore House 30 years ago. He was on the Duke of Edinborough's polo team, he and all of his ancestors were noted hunters. His predecessor was mauled by a lion.