Encyclopedia Dubuque
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TAXIDERMISTS: Difference between revisions
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[[Image:taxi.png|left|thumb|250px|Photo courtesy: Telegraph Herald]]TAXIDERMISTS. In 1908 one of the leading businesses in Dubuque advertised for taxidermists. [[EDE'S ROBE TANNING COMPANY]] made part of its business serving taxidermists around the country by tanning hides--a process which in 2020 continued to occupy much of the time between a hunter bringing in an animal to be displayed and receiving it months later. | [[Image:taxi.png|left|thumb|250px|Photo courtesy: Telegraph Herald]]TAXIDERMISTS. The history of taxidermy includes the extremely unusual of Valerian, the emperor of Rome. Captured by the Persians, he was held in chains Sapor, king of Persia. After Valerian's death, of unknown causes, Sapor had the body of the dead emperor skinned and the hide tanned. After this the hide was stuffed, painted red, and then suspended in the chief temple of the capital. It was a popular sight at holidays and when Roman envoys came to the capital it was the custom to conduct official business in the presence of the former emperor. (1) Centuries later taxidermists were employed by museums to preserve specimens of animals and by hunters and fishermen to record their successes. | ||
Perhaps the first public exhibit of taxidermy was in a bar operated by a Mr. McCoy at the corner of 8th and Bluff. Among the exhibits was a covey of quail, a young fawn, and an eagle feasting on a duck. (2) Dubuque residents in 2020 would relate this to the enormous range of displayed animals at [[PAUL'S TAVERN]]. | |||
In 1902 a student at the State Teachers' College in Cedar Falls was found guilty of shooting six quail out of season and fined $130. He had plead guilt of shooting the birds, but claimed it was for scientific study as he was making specimens for the taxidermy department of the school. School authorities appealed the case to district court which overturned the sentence. (3) | |||
In 1908 one of the leading businesses in Dubuque advertised for taxidermists. [[EDE'S ROBE TANNING COMPANY]] made part of its business serving taxidermists around the country by tanning hides--a process which in 2020 continued to occupy much of the time between a hunter bringing in an animal to be displayed and receiving it months later. | |||
Books on the subject seemed scarce in 1910. A newspaper reporter of the Telegraph Herald mentioned three firms which offered them: Cassell & Company 19th Street New York ('''Taxidermy'''); C.K. Reed 75 Thomas Street, Worchester, Massachusetts ('''Guide to Taxidermy'''), and David McKay 610 South Washington Square, Philadelphia ('''Methods in the Art of Taxidermy'''). (4) | |||
By 1916 taxidermy was one of the many badges that could be earned by Boy Scouts. (5) | |||
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Source: | |||
1. "A Stuffed Emperor," ''The Dubuque Herald'', December 13, 1894, p. 3 | |||
2. "A New Museum," ''The Daily Herald'', July 30, 1875, p. 4 | |||
3. "The Taxidermist, ''Telegraph Herald'', April 12, 1902, p. 5 | |||
4. "Questions and Answers," ''Telegraph-Herald'', February 27, 1910, p. 12 | |||
5. "Boy Scout Campaign to Wax Warm at End of Week--Outlook Bright for Troops," Telegraph-Herald, November 26, 1916, p. 11 | |||
Revision as of 04:26, 30 December 2020
TAXIDERMISTS. The history of taxidermy includes the extremely unusual of Valerian, the emperor of Rome. Captured by the Persians, he was held in chains Sapor, king of Persia. After Valerian's death, of unknown causes, Sapor had the body of the dead emperor skinned and the hide tanned. After this the hide was stuffed, painted red, and then suspended in the chief temple of the capital. It was a popular sight at holidays and when Roman envoys came to the capital it was the custom to conduct official business in the presence of the former emperor. (1) Centuries later taxidermists were employed by museums to preserve specimens of animals and by hunters and fishermen to record their successes.
Perhaps the first public exhibit of taxidermy was in a bar operated by a Mr. McCoy at the corner of 8th and Bluff. Among the exhibits was a covey of quail, a young fawn, and an eagle feasting on a duck. (2) Dubuque residents in 2020 would relate this to the enormous range of displayed animals at PAUL'S TAVERN.
In 1902 a student at the State Teachers' College in Cedar Falls was found guilty of shooting six quail out of season and fined $130. He had plead guilt of shooting the birds, but claimed it was for scientific study as he was making specimens for the taxidermy department of the school. School authorities appealed the case to district court which overturned the sentence. (3)
In 1908 one of the leading businesses in Dubuque advertised for taxidermists. EDE'S ROBE TANNING COMPANY made part of its business serving taxidermists around the country by tanning hides--a process which in 2020 continued to occupy much of the time between a hunter bringing in an animal to be displayed and receiving it months later.
Books on the subject seemed scarce in 1910. A newspaper reporter of the Telegraph Herald mentioned three firms which offered them: Cassell & Company 19th Street New York (Taxidermy); C.K. Reed 75 Thomas Street, Worchester, Massachusetts (Guide to Taxidermy), and David McKay 610 South Washington Square, Philadelphia (Methods in the Art of Taxidermy). (4)
By 1916 taxidermy was one of the many badges that could be earned by Boy Scouts. (5)
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Source:
1. "A Stuffed Emperor," The Dubuque Herald, December 13, 1894, p. 3
2. "A New Museum," The Daily Herald, July 30, 1875, p. 4
3. "The Taxidermist, Telegraph Herald, April 12, 1902, p. 5
4. "Questions and Answers," Telegraph-Herald, February 27, 1910, p. 12
5. "Boy Scout Campaign to Wax Warm at End of Week--Outlook Bright for Troops," Telegraph-Herald, November 26, 1916, p. 11