Secret taxidermy collection found in Kidderminster loft worth thousands

It includes a circa 1920s lion’s head with real teeth, Conger eel, otter, white rabbit, badger, fox, African antelope, plains zebra and a multitude of fish and birds including an albino blackbird, moorhens, herons, lapwing, curlew, Long-Eared owls, pike and perch.

Julie Gittoes had no idea her late husband Kevin had hidden away several cased animals in the attic, until she needed her loft boarding over.

Among the finds was a large glass display case featuring a puppy dog, a pair of red squirrels and a green woodpecker.

Kevin Gittoes. Photo: Hansons Julie, aged 62, from Blakedown near Kidderminster, said: “I was never allowed into the loft but, after I lost Kevin, I needed some work done in the attic.

"The workman said to me, ‘Did you know there are a lot of boxes up there?’ I found 12 pieces of taxidermy I had no idea about. I’m amazed Kevin managed to squirrel them away without me knowing.”

Even though she was well aware of her husband’s interest in taxidermy she had no idea just how vast his collection was. Around 150 pieces were discovered in all including many tucked away in the garage which she knew nothing about.

“The garage was Kevin’s domain and I didn’t go in there much,” she said.

“I knew he had some more taxidermy in there but I never realised the extent of it. They were stacked one behind another on deep shelves. I think he felt a bit guilty about buying so many pieces so he didn’t tell me.”

Kevin collected taxidermy for more than 30 years. However, the day job gave no clue to his historical interest.

He worked as an engineering manager for the Mirror Group. However, in retirement, he got a part-time job at an auction house – something he loved, according to Julie, and the perfect place to source taxidermy.

Kevin and Julie Gittoes. Photo: Hansons Julie said: “When I met Kevin 32 years ago, he had a couple of pieces. Though it was never my thing I never stopped him displaying them in the house. I just limited it a bit. I never begrudged him doing it. Our 1926 bungalow has a large hall so they were mainly displayed there. We had some in the lounge, too, including a badger which I’m keeping. He’s part of the family now. Kevin had him when I met him.

“He was very proud of his collection. That’s one of the reasons why I’ve decided to sell it at auction. I want to pay tribute to Kevin and share something that was really important to him.”

The Kevin Gittoes Taxidermy Collection is due to go under the hammer at Hansons Auctioneers on February 28 in a Fine Art and Antiques Auction at Bishton Hall, Staffs. It’s expected to fetch in excess of £10,000 and a donation from the proceeds will go to charity.

Kevin passed away at the age of 69 in August 2021. His life was taken by sarcoma, a type of cancer that starts in tissues like bone or muscle. A donation from the proceeds of the sale of his collection will go to Sarcoma UK.