This well-known firm was founded in 1856 at 32, Corporation Street, Belfast by James Sheals, who was a carpenter by trade before taking up taxidermy. His sons Alfred (1856-1929) and Thomas, who were two of eleven children, followed him into the family business.
Alfred was the elder and more skilled of the brothers, and he never married. Thomas did marry, but his wife Elizabeth died in 1891 at the age of thirty-five and never remarried. After the death, in 1897, of their father, who had taken no active part in the busiess for some years, the brothers continued to trade uder the name 'James Sheals, naturalist and taxidermist', although A;fred would occasionally replace his father's name with his own.
Alfred in particular became an excellent taxidermist, and the firm increased its turnover and built up a fine reputation toward the end of the century.
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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