It will be a taxidermist's delight in Tasmania this week when a lifetime collection of more than 80 stuffed animals goes under the hammer in Hobart tomorrow.
Auctioneer Quenton McDonald of Gowans said a fox was probably the most topical item at the auction because of the obvious interest in fox sightings in Tasmania in recent years.
He expected a mongoose, cobra, penguin and badger to spark interest, too.
Mr McDonald said small items were likely to fetch about $50, with an average-sized deer head selling for about $300 and a larger deer head for about $500.
Though many would find the auction items macabre, Mr McDonald said they were generating plenty of interest.
And it was not just bohemian hunters with log cabins who would be buying at the auction.
"There is no stereotypical type of person that buys this sort of stuff. We have a broad range of people that have purchased over the years, although it is mainly private collectors," he said.
Restrictions on the sale of some animal products have changed over the years and the auctioneers have had the collection evaluated by the authorities, Mr McDonald said.
"We have to get Parks and Wildlife in to give us the permits that we need [for this type of auction]," Mr McDonald said.
"There are restrictions on what you can and can't sell so they come in and run their eyes over the collection."
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