READING IS FUNDAMENTAL
My Taxidermy Reading List
Shop my favorite books related to taxidermy, art, natural history and conservation. These are books I have read, or want to read. The purpose of this shop is to serve as an online reference library for reading related to natural history, conservation, and art. Each offers lessons on harmony and reflection. Bookshop.org is a sustainable alternative to you-know-who and directly supports independent bookstores. As an affiliate, I earn 10% of sales made using these links. Every month, these profits will be donated evenly to Outdoor Afro, Feminist Bird Club, and Queer Nature.
In addition to my Bookshop, below is a list of books helpful for learning taxidermy!
Click here for a collaborative list of books about taxidermy.
Historic Texts
This is a list of antique or out of print books. You can find these on eBay, Thirft Books, Abe Books, and other sites, through some of the rare books can be pricy. “Scholar Select” copies (scanned reprints of originals) are usually more affordable. I’ve linked to free texts where applicable, you can also check Hathi Trust and Project Gutenberg for more.
“Methods in the Art of Taxidermy” by Oliver Davie
“Taxidermy and Zoological Collection” by W.C. Hornaday
“Taxidermy and Museum Exhibition” by John Rowley
“The Art of Taxidermy” by John Rowley
“The Taxidermist’s Sketchbook” by Leon Pray
“Bird Studies” “Game Studies” or any of the booklets by Leon Pray. These are like taxidermy zines, and offer cheeky, easy reading about studying animals for taxidermy
“Practical Taxidermy: A Working Guide” by John William Moyer
“Practical Taxidermy for Home Decoration” by Joseph H. Batty
“Practical Taxidermy” by Montagu Brown
“Guide to Taxidermy” by Charles K. Reed & Chester A. Reed
Current Texts
These are books I have read and found helpful with no incentive from the author (the exception being books I’ve coauthored). Proceeds from Bookshop.org affiliate links are donated to the groups mentioned above.
“Stuffed Animals: A Modern Guide to Taxidermy” by Divya Anantharaman and Katie Innamorato
“Bird Taxidermy - The Basic Manual” by Carl Church
“Small Game Taxidermy” and “Big Game Taxidermy” by Todd Triplett
“The Unfeathered Bird” by Katrina von Grouw
“An Atlas of Animal Anatomy for Artists” by Lewis S. Brown
“Beginner Small Mammal Training Book” by Mike Gadd
“Home Taxidermy for Pleasure and Profit” by Albert Burton Farnham
“Taxidermy Art: A Rogue’s Guide to the Work” by Robert Marbury
“Home Book of Taxidermy and Tanning” by Gerald J Grantz