Taxidermy. Preserved Cooper Brown Trout.

A nice bow fronted case with gilt lines and inscription ‘Brown Trout, Caught by J. Hinchcliffe, River Dart, Oct. 16th 1906. Weight 4lb. 2oz.’ The case contains a cleverly modelled brown trout set against a painted backdrop and realistic river bed setting by arguably the best fish taxidermists ‘J. Cooper & Sons’. A small trade label internally top right reads ‘Preserved by J. Cooper & Sons, 28 Radnor Street, St. Lukes, London, E.C.’.

Height - 12 inches     Width - 25 inches     Depth - 7 inches

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Cooper are one of the best known and collected of all the British taxidermists. They were regarded as the leading fish taxidermists. The firm was founded in the 1830’s by John Cooper, a former watchmaker. He was joined later by his son, also John, who continued the business after his death. The company changed their name in the late 1890’s when John (second generation) was joined by his sons, Ernest, Frederick and John. Cooper are renowned for their high quality bow-fronted glass cases edged with gold line trim and gilt lettering. W.B.Griggs, who was also a taxidermist from London, took over the company and carried on trading under the name of ‘J. Cooper & Sons’. Radnor Street, London, was the principle Cooper premises but in about 1939 the company started trading from 78 Bath Road, Hounslow, Middlesex.