Thylacine head find at UK auction a 'holy grail' for collector

A collector in the UK has acquired what he claims is a rare thylacine head, which he describes as the "holy grail" of taxidermy specimens. The head, purchased at an auction in England, was initially misidentified as a fox’s head and sold for a fraction of its true value. James Cranfield, who operates an oddities shop in Southend-on-Sea, England, bought the mounted head for approximately 60,000 British pounds ($114,000). He and another dealer identified the specimen as a thylacine after noticing distinctive features, such as the number of upper incisors. The head was originally listed at around 40 British pounds ($76) and was believed to belong to a fox due to its plastic googly eyes. However, upon closer examination, Cranfield noted that the teeth matched those of a thylacine, a marsupial native to Australia. Cranfield described the discovery as a "truly special" moment for a natural history collector. He explained that thylacine material is extremely rare, with only one other known taxidermy head mount existing elsewhere. The size of the head suggested it might have been mistaken for a large fox or domestic dog, but the unique dental structure confirmed its true identity. Foxes and dogs typically have six upper incisors between their canines, while thylacines possess eight, making the distinction unmistakable. Auctioneer Andrew Stowe, who handled the sale, stated that the head was originally purchased by the vendor for just 50 British pounds at an antiques market. The seller had bought the item solely for its novelty, as the googly eyes amused them. Stowe expressed astonishment when informed of the head’s actual identity, noting that even replicas or bones of similar creatures command thousands of pounds. Finding a complete, authentic thylacine specimen in the UK was considered nearly impossible. Kathryn Medlock, a senior zoology curator at the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, commented on the rarity of thylacine specimens. She noted that while they are uncommon, they occasionally surface from private collections, particularly those maintained in rural areas. Medlock mentioned several specimens in private hands, including a taxidermy head, and recounted discovering a thylacine skin nailed to a shearing shed. She was not surprised by the recent sale, citing historical practices where thylacine material was frequently sent to UK museums and traded among private dealers. Cranfield admitted that the head’s origin remained unclear, as no provenance was provided with the purchase. His theory suggests the specimen may have originated from Tasmania, where hunters were once offered bounties for killing thylacines and returning their skulls as proof. These trophies were likely transported to the UK during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Medlock supported this hypothesis, noting that many thylacine items were indeed sent to British institutions during that era. To verify the identification, scans are currently underway to further confirm the specimen’s authenticity. Cranfield emphasized that the acquisition represents a significant milestone for collectors and underscores the ongoing presence of thylacine material in private hands. As the scans proceed, the story of this unusual find continues to unfold.