A FEATHER OF THE EXTINCT GREAT AUK BIRD (PINGUINUS IMPENNIS), THE CLUNGUNFORD AUK

North Atlantic Coastal Waters, extinct since 1852, in labelled display box, of Natural History interest,

the feather 53mm in length

Great auks were killed by rapacious hunters for food and bait, particularly during the early 1800s. Enormous numbers were captured, the birds often being driven up a plank and slaughtered on their way into the hold of a vessel. The last known specimens were killed in June 1844 at Eldey island, Iceland. About 80 great auks and a like number of their eggs are preserved in museums.

The Clungunford Auk which this specimen comes from, was bought by John Rocke of Clungunford House in 1860, and subsequently sold by Roland Ward on 8th May 1936 to Captain Vivien Hewitt for £700.

Provenance:

Viktor Wynd.

Acquired by Wynd from the collection of celebrated taxidermist Barry Williams. Only 14 feathers were acquired from this specimen. A copy of the certificate of authenticity stating the provenance will be supplied to the buyer, as well as a signed certificate from Viktor Wynd.

For a detailed history of this particular specimen, see The Greak Auk by Errol Fuller, p. 124-127.

The Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities, Fine Art & UnNatural History is a contemporary reinterpretation of a Pre-Enlightenment Wunderkabinett or Cabinet of Curiosities. It is the creation of artist and writer Viktor Wynd, who has just opened a Falmouth branch of his museum inside the National Maritime Museum. His most recent book 'The UnNatural History Museum' was published by Prestel in 2020.