Pelts Collection

All the animals whose pelts were favoured by the fashion industry in 1908. 1. American Wolf, 2. Brown Bear, 3. Skunk, 4. Canadian Wolf, 5. Coyote, 6. Grey Squirrel, 7. Common Squirrel, 8

Bartering with the Indians in the Western States of America
CHT202632 Bartering with the Indians in the Western States of America, engraved by Joseph Swain (1820-1909) 1871 (engraving) (b/w photo) by Houghton

Portrait of Master John Lethbridge of Tregeare Manor, Launceston, Devon
5838148 Portrait of Master John Lethbridge of Tregeare Manor, Launceston, Devon, three-quarter-length, in a brown suit holding a whip, leaning on an animal pelt (oil on canvas) by Eddis

Dutch Weight (engraving)
3643533 Dutch Weight (engraving) by Cruikshank, George (1792-1878) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Dutch Weight. Illustration for Eighty-Two Illustrations by George Cruikshank (William Tegg)

Preliminaries to the Coronation (engraving)
1628772 Preliminaries to the Coronation (engraving) by Frenzeny, Paul (1840-1902); Private Collection; (add.info.: Preliminaries to the Coronation, working for the Coronation in Canada)

Cooke Rheas and Bob Coes Market hunting outfit in Hog Park, 1885 (b / w photo)
DPL415521 Cooke Rheas and Bob Coes Market hunting outfit in Hog Park, 1885 (b/w photo) by Eickemeyer, Rudolf (1862-1932); Denver Public Library, Western History Collection; (add.info.: hunters camp)

Furs for the European Market, the Hudson Bay Companys Trappers at Work (litho)
1601219 Furs for the European Market, the Hudson Bay Companys Trappers at Work (litho) by Frenzeny, Paul (1840-1902); Private Collection; (add.info.: Furs for the European Market)

At home - Daniels and his badger skins. June 1973 P006182

Young female pug

Canadian Fur Exhibit - London Exhibition
Canadian Fur Exhibit by Holt, Renfrew and Co, Ltd. of Toronto (est. 1837) at the Franco-British Exhibition, London 1908

Two Mounted Stag heads and Beaver pelts given to King George
Two Mounted Stag heads and Beaver pelts yielded and paid to his Majesty King George VI by the Governor and Company of Adventurers of England trading into Hudsons Bay under the terms of their Charter

Paris Exhibition 1900 - Stuffed Animals and Pelts
Lantern slide of Russia - in Paris Exhibition 1889, showing stuffed wild animals and pelts.. Part of Box 198 Paris Exhibition, coloured slide, no. 30 Date: 1889

Traditional Athabaskan dome shaped dwelling covered with caribou hides called a wickiup used mainly during hunts. Chena Village, Alaska

Fur coat of a Plains Zebras (Equus quagga), Etosha National Park, Namibia, Africa

Roebuck (Capreolus capreolus), shedding, switching from grey winter coat to red summer coat, Allgaeu, Bavaria, Germany, Europe

A male pug sitting on a red blanket

Young male pug with his paws in the water

Young male pug on a garden chair

Edwardian Lady wearing furs Date: 1913

A young flapper woman reclining on a snow leopard pelt. Date: 1928- 1929

Politician pelted with rotten eggs
A Politician (Juggins) is pelted with rotten eggs at a hustings. A clever play on words on this postcard from the Market Reports series

Russian Fur Merchant
A Northern fur-merchant in Russia bargains a group of trappers over the price of some pelts. Date: 1913

Stone Age man, early 20th century artwork
Stone Age man hunting a mammoth (upper left), wearing animal furs and carrying a spear, club and flint knife. Stone tools are among the earliest used by humans

Fur Traders Wife - Southern Russia
A Fur traders wife in fine attire standing alongside the results of her husbands work

Sheep Shearing in Bulgaria - tying up the recently-shorn fleeces

Ona Indians from Tierra del Fuego
Ona Indians - Indigenous people from Tierra del Fuego, Southern Argentina, wearing Guanaco skin cloaks

Stitching Fur Cloaks
Men at tables in a workshop surrounded by pelts stitch fur cloaks. A customer lays down his money & places his order. The fur could possibly be ermine

All Professionally Made to Order for Quick Shipping

In the bustling fashion industry of 1908, they were highly sought after for their luxurious appeal. From the majestic American Wolf to the formidable Brown Bear, these animals' coats became coveted symbols of opulence and style. The Skunk's unique fur added a touch of eccentricity to fashionable ensembles, while the Canadian Wolf and Coyote brought a wild allure to high-end designs. But it wasn't just North American creatures that captured attention; even humble creatures like the Grey Squirrel and Common Squirrel found their place in this extravagant world. Their soft pelts provided warmth and comfort during chilly winter months. Venturing beyond familiar territories, exotic species like Phalanger, Opossum, Lemur, and Indian Wild Cat made their way into fashion houses. These rare furs embodied an air of mystery and adventure that captivated both designers and consumers alike. Bartering with Native Americans in the Western States of America played a significant role in acquiring these precious pelts. This exchange between cultures not only fueled commerce but also fostered understanding between different societies. The portrait of Master John Lethbridge from Tregeare Manor showcased his refined taste as he posed elegantly draped in sumptuous fur garments. The Dutch Weight engraving highlighted how valuable these they were by depicting them alongside other prized possessions. Preliminaries to the Coronation engraving depicted dignitaries adorned in regal attire embellished with lavish furs—a testament to their status and power within society. Cooke Rheas and Bob Coes Market hunting outfit photograph transported us back to 1885 when hunters proudly displayed their successful catches—beaver pelts among them—in Hog Park. These images served as reminders of our complex relationship with nature throughout history. The Hudson Bay Company's trappers diligently worked on procuring furs for European markets—an arduous task that required skillful trapping techniques amidst harsh conditions. Their efforts ensured that the demand for pelts was met, sustaining a thriving industry.