19th Century Fox by AJ Harris of Enfield
Taxidermist AJ Harris of Enfield (b. 1867 d. 1936)
This large fox by AJ Harris of Enfield contained in a beautiful original Victorian case is still in great condition. Dating from about 1890 it bears the maker’s label inside top right.
AJ Harris of Enfield (42 Baker Street, Enfield) was a Naturalist and Taxidermist, who began his apprenticeship in the taxidermy trade in about 1881.
He states in his advertising of 1891 that he had been an apprentice to Spicer of Birmingham. This was Edward Francis Spicer, the cousin of Peter Spicer.
EF Spicer used to work with the famous Peter Spicer in the family business in Leamington, but left that business and set up on his own when he moved to Birmingham in 1872, firstly to premises at 229 Great Colmore Street, and then later to 61 and then 58 Suffolk Street.
I’d say it’s very likely that A.J.Harris of Enfield had started his apprenticeship with EF Spicer of Birmingham 1881-1882 since he was 14 years old at that point and is marked on the census as a scholar. It’s probable that he joined EF Spicer in his early days in Birmingham when Spicer had first set up there. Harris is likely to have at least signed up for a five or seven year apprenticeship between 1882-1887/9 and it looks like he stayed there until he left to open his own business in Enfield – sometime just before 1890 when this fox is dated.
This was one of the first Victorian cases that I purchased through a private sale, and I have always loved it. Before I bought it, I had no idea of its provenance at all. It is only through determined research that I’ve been able to find the story of it.
Good enough for Royalty and far below London prices
Taxidermist AJ Harris of Enfield advertisement
In this advertisement of 1891 in the Middlesex Gazette Mr Harris states that he has supplied specimens for the famous expos of the day, “including Paris, Birmingham and Yorkshire” where some of his specimens were purchased by Royalty. Since his employer was a prominent naturalist, I’ve no doubt this refers to his time with E.F. Spicer as an apprentice.
photo: Dorne Lovegrove
Compare to a live fox today!
The live fox in this picture comes for food (chicken legs, eggs, bacon and peanut butter sandwiches!) to my house every night. We have named her “Foxy Bingo”. In this picture she is pregnant, although we didn’t know it at the time. Now the cubs are born, she is very slim – and she weighs about 4kg.
Appreciating the natural size difference between males and females, there’s still a significant thing about comparing these two foxes. The Harris taxidermied fox is huge!
This reflects the change in their natural habitats and food environment over the last 100+ years.
AJ Harris of Enfield advertises for an apprentice
Taxidermist AJ Harris Enfield advertises for an apprentice
In this advertisement of January 1893 in the Middlesex Gazette, Taxidermist AJ Harris of Enfield is advertising for an apprentice in the small ads.
The ad is very short – and probably the advert cost was based on the number of letters printed.
By this time, A.J. Harris has been working independently since 1890 and so his business must have been lively enough to need an apprentice.
1894 A fracas with an employee taxidermist!
Reported in the Middlesex Gazette, May 12, 1894.
Maybe A.J. Harris found himself either an apprentice or an assistant because a year later we see an article in the local paper. A.J. Harris and his brother, Walter, shared commercial premises and the business was known as Harris & Harris, Cycle Makers. It was normal for taxidermists to “piggy back” with other trades, including apothecaries and hairdressers, so it’s no surprise to find this mutually advantageous partnership with his brother.
It appears that his apprentice or assistant did not work out – he turned out to be a drunk as the article describes:…..
Joseph John Ball, 33, a taxidermist, at present without any fixed place of abode was charged with wilfully breaking a pane of glass in a shop window at Baker Street, Enfield, the property of Walter Harris an Engineer. The Prosecutor and his brother, Arthur James Harris, live together in a house in Baker Street and the prisoner had lodged with them.
On Saturday morning Arthur Harris gave the prisoner notice that they could not have him in the house any longer. The prisoner returned at night, however, and he was intoxicated and said he would not leave the place until he had seen Walter Harris, who was not at home. The Prosecutor returned home in time to see the crowd which had gathered outside his shop window immediately after the prisoner had broken a large square of glass by a blow with his fist. The prisoner then said to him “what a silly fellow I am Walter. I have broken your window. Never mind; lend me threepence.
The Prosecutor gave him into custody and a doctor was fetched to the Police Station to dress the prisoner’s hand which had been cut by the broken glass. The Prisoner said that Mr Harris did not give him all the money that was due to him for wages and he was vexed by this and broke the window.
The Bench ordered him to pay a fine of 5s, and the costs, and 2s 6d for the damage done, and 7s 6d the fee of the medical man who attended him or, in default, to be imprisoned for ten days.
I imagine that since the "prisoner" had been begging for threepence, it was unlikely he could have paid the fines, and he probably spent 10 days in prison!
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