Transcribe Custom Work in Taxidermy: Mammals (1877)

CUSTOM WORK IN TAXIDERMY.

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Ward's Natural Science Establishment.

                              Rochester, N.Y., Jan, 1,  1877. 

The number of large and important animals which are yearly sent out from my establishment is so considerable that I have been enabled to keep permanently in my employ a corps of trained Taxidermists and Osteologists who have great experience, each in his own special division. The work of these men has been so well appreciated that we are continually receiving from Museum Directors and Naturalists skins and skeletons to prepare and mount for their museums. The Smithsonian Institution at Washington, Agassiz's Museum of Comparative Zoology at Cambridge, Yale College Museum, New York State Cabinet of Natural History, have each sent us several thousand dollars of custom work within the past three years. Smaller lots are continually coming in from other institutions throughout the whole country. The specimens thus sent us are mainly of the larger animal forms (notably the larger mammals), together with all nicer and more difficult work, for which a special order of talent is required. In answer to inquiries from correspondents as to the charges for mounting various mammals, I have collated the following LIST OF PRICES, choosing a few score of forms as of representative value.

The prices noted are for dry skins of average preservation, with the skulls. If a skin is badly cut or town, lacks patches of hair (which must be replaced), or is without a skull, the price will necessarily be more than that given. If, on the other hand, it be a fresh skin it will be less than these rates. The choicest quality o French eyes are used, and each specimen mounted upon a handsome Ash pedestal. Boxing extra.