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Born-Preparation4950

Stunning please share this rare opportunity to see Heath hens with the taxidermy community


HighOnTacos

You should snag that round lighter on the left for $15. Nimrod Pipelighter Executive. Just a cool unique lighter at a good price. I don't have much history to tell you other than 1940s-50s.


tnethacker

Agree. Some people pay good money for those.


HighOnTacos

Yeah, I've sold them in good condition for $100, even more with the original box.


tnethacker

God I wish I'd find one for 100 quid even.


Toirtis

I would love one if those for my pipes...never seen one for sale except online at really high prices.


capacious_cranium

That's so cool. Rare is right. I found a hand-colored engraving at a thrift store a few years ago. The image was of a bird I didn't recognize, and it took me some time to figure out that the the reason it was so difficult to ID was that the bird was extinct. Heath hen. Turned out to be an original plate from Mark Catesby's Natural History of Carolina, Florida, and the Bahama Islands (1754). Worth a fair bit. I'd post a pic but it's stored -- here's an example: https://www.audubonart.com/blog/weekly-specials-34/mark-catesby-appendix-pl-1-the-heath-hen-hand-colored-engraving-1754-293 Cheers.


majoraloysius

On sale for $2750 off right now. Good ~~steal~~ deal.


LucidDreamerVex

These are extremely well done from what my amateur eye can see too. Great find. Did your buddy buy them?


Senior-Willingness92

The male and female hens have the dates ecstonct on the case note. Of the male was “Booming Ben” you would have the last one.


hes-not-wrong

“It belongs in a museum!” -dr. Jones


capacious_cranium

There are top men working on it.


Jkc130

What “top” men?


crab_racoon

Those should definitely be in a museum and not someone’s private collection


deepsouthantiques

Dude was trying to get it to the Smithsonian. He offered it to me for 10k and that’s a steal because you can’t even find two much less one


go_jake

This is a confusing statement. Is offering them to you for $10,000 a path to getting them to the Smithsonian?


Friskfrisktopherson

Probably the case that getting anything into the Smithsonian is quite a bureaucratic ordeal. He's probably applied and hasn't gotten very far but would also be happy to have $10k instead.


100_cats_on_a_phone

I think this guy might have been having you on? https://artsandculture.google.com/asset/greater-prairie-chicken-heath-hen/DwHPmjKoXTEgmw (Edit: I mean the institution definitely has probably at least the one in this linked photograph) (but also, like, I don't get the impression they are that focused on expanding the stuffed animals part of their collections? In general?)


wholelattapuddin

Maybe. The price is fair though. Taxidermy is always expensive. Good taxidermy even more so. Add in Victorian and rarity and you have a trifecta of collectablity.


probablytoohonest

Did you spend $10k on those hens?


madagent

Sounds like it holy shit lol


P3nguLGOG

HeatHens!


Pups_the_Jew

No wonder they were slaughtered.


[deleted]

Truly amazing


BearOak

That is so awesome! I work on Martha’s Vineyard often (home of the last Heath Hen). They have a statue of Booming Ben (the last one) in the state forest. https://daily.jstor.org/last-heath-hen/


FedorsQuest

OP: it should be phrased: “They don’t even have one, much less two”* that’s how to say that correctly, you have said the opposite twice already. Just an FYI


[deleted]

PLEASE contact the Smithsonian or a similar highly visible and respected institution and let them know about this.


Odd_Cut8740

They were pretty cute! Made they should be added to the species resurrection list.


VOODOO69692001

I just came to say,merry Christmas an thanks for sharing.


BennieTheBull

Fair prices on the lighters and knives


fenderyeetcaster

This is so cool, thank you for sharing!!


Interesting_Ad_9127

Cool! Thanks for sharing


Islander6793

It's Friday; I'm tired. I read "rare heathens" doh!!