James Gardner founded his business in about the early 1840's and his son, also James Gardner followed him into the business. The two seemed to be working seperatly as their adverts stated "senior" of "Junior" and also made clear there was no connection with any other. The address usually found on their labels is 426 Oxford Street but between 1844 and 1917 they were listed at 29, 31, 149, 159, 292, 371, 426 and 427 oxford Street aswell as 52 High Holborn! James Gardner senior displayed his specimens at the great exhibition 1851. The family business closed down in 1920. James Gardner cases are usually box type and very prone to insect attack, cases seen today are usually "mothed".
We have bought major collections from museums and private collectors.
Offer your items here.
Taxidermy law can be complicated.
We make it our business to know the laws surrounding the trade, keeping up to date with changes in current legislation so you can buy in confidence.
The House of Taxidermy does not source modern taxidermy specimens that have been killed for the purpose of taxidermy. Our modern taxidermy is mainly roadkill and catkill as these are sadly the top two threats to British wildlife. We also get animals that have died of old age, largely from zoos and falconers.
Antique pieces for us are another matter. Although some of these old specimens were hunted, we see no harm in trading them today.
Destroying them will not bring the animal back.
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