I've been offered a African lion mount. I have never hunted in Africa and probably never will. I came across this mount through a friend. The owner of the mounts husband passed away some time ago and she wishes to sell several trophys aquired by her husband from hunts around the world.

I would like to know what your thoughts were when it comes to a fair price to offer her for the Lion. I would love to have it !!!

I have no clue, but a suggestion might be to post in the Taxidermy section as well. Some of the taxidermists may have an idea of what these go for. Just a thought.

Thank you.

Also make sure transfer of the trophy is legal. I'm not saying it is not legal; I don't know. I do understand that transfer of elephant ivory (obviously different) can be challenging.

You might want to contact Lolli Brothers sales. They deal with this sort of thing and might be able to give you some help. www.lollibros.com

That looks pretty well done to me.

Awhile back they listed on eBay at 2k-6k. Thats pre ban.

SMACK,

It all depends how much it is worth to you and the person selling it. I don't think a lion rug has any real retail value.

Mark

My personal opinion/guess is that $1000 would be fair to both of you. I think selling it would be difficult and if she uses some type of auction house, commissions will be fairly high.

Thank you for the replies, I have since found out that she places the value of the mount at 5K.

My full body mount was $5,800 and it is superb. Don't know about the rug. Just seems high to me. My 2 cents.

quote:

Originally posted by SMACK!!!!:
Thank you for the replies, I have since found out that she places the value of the mount at 5K.

That is a ripoff. That money would be better spent on a cull hunt in the Eastern Cape of South Africa.

It is my understanding that she will need documentation to legally sell the lion to anyone. Don't know what year it was shot but without a waybill, license, etc or something like that showing it was legally collected, well then it's basically worthless.
I know because I had a client contact me about selling a mounted lion and the client had all the documentation. He was offered $2000 for the full body mount and when he accepted the offer the guy pulled out. Said he had 9 lions on inventory and nobody is buying since the Cecil crap hit the fan. FWTW

I came across a not-so-great leopard rug a few months ago - I was curious about how much the guy was asking b/c it's just not something you see everyday. I was told $10k, but he would bottom line it at $8k. I laughed. People are crazy.

I'd think this is worth way more, and I'd bet there would be buyers at $2k ish.

Why on Earth would anyone want a mount they didn't shoot?

I wouldn't give 10 dollars for it!

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The value of taxidermy is basically criminal. I've been to several auctions with large collections of both American and African taxidermy. The prices they bring at auction are very low. A couple of days ago my buddy attended such an auction where there was a full body mount of a female lion. It was in good shape and sold for $400.

Its a rug man, so maybe $1000 - $1500 max. Make sure you can acquire it legally!!!!

quote:

Originally posted by MacD37:
Why on Earth would anyone want a mount they didn't shoot?

I wouldn't give 10 dollars for it!

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I personally don't disagree.

But I didn't paint any of the art on my walls ....

Different strokes for different folks.

I think Aaron pegged it right.

In really good shape, with provenience she'd be lucky to get $1K or a hair more.

If I would buy a trophy mount, I would want some pictures with it (from the hunt) to honor the hunter and the animal.

Frankly, its not what it is "worth" in the sense of replacement costs- ~$100,000 for the hunt ~$2500 for dip, pack, and shipping, ~$7500 for a whole body mount (or probably close to $1,000 for a rug) in taxidermy fees.

She probably has some knowledge about how much was paid for it, and no idea how little they go for on the open market at auction. If you are serious about buying it, and really want it, I would go get some completed taxidermy auction site results and show them to her, acknowledge that it probably has some sentimental value to her and then offer her auction money. If it is something she wants out of the house, she will get a fair price and you will pay fair dollar... I would not pay for someone else's sentimental value, myself.

My mounts are for me to remember my hunts and the great animal and experience I had... I would be better off leaving them there financially.

quote:

Originally posted by Labman:
The value of taxidermy is basically criminal. I've been to several auctions with large collections of both American and African taxidermy. The prices they bring at auction are very low. A couple of days ago my buddy attended such an auction where there was a full body mount of a female lion. It was in good shape and sold for $400.

The value is not criminal it is the price the market pays in a public auction. The criminal aspect is the whole bs of trophies, dip and pack, museum quality taxidermy etc that trophy hunting is sold on.

No one real cares about trophies in the tradeable world of taxidermy.

Mike

That magnificent beast gave up its life for our sport and deserves to be well displayed and cherished. Whatever the price.

I agree with Mr. Butler and some history to go with this would be interesting.

Just out of interest with the proper USA doc could this skin be exported?