Unorthodox Taxidermy

Geisel embarked on an ingenious project in the early 1930s as he evolved from two-dimensional artworks to three-dimensional sculptures. What was most unusual for the mixed media sculptures was the use of real animal parts, including beaks, antlers and horns from deceased Forest Park Zoo animals where Geisel’s father was superintendent.

Today, Seuss’s sculptures are reproduced as hand-painted cast resin sculptures and are painstakingly prepared to accurately recreate the aesthetic brilliance of the originals. Like bronze castings, hand-painted cast resin works must go through an extensive and highly detailed process of modeling, molding, casting, sanding and finishing. However, unlike bronze, once the sculpture casting is complete the entire three-dimensional surface of the resin piece must then be delicately hand-painted to match the fidelity of Seuss’s original work. (Complete documentation of each sculpture is included in the Certificate of Authenticity.)

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  • Carbonic Walrus
    Carbonic Walrus

    $2,295


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    In the early 1930s, Ted Geisel created what he called A Collection of Unorthodox Taxidermy, a menagerie of Seussian animals constructed from real animal beaks and horns. On the heals of that project, Seuss embarked upon a second collection, this time of sea-going creatures, that he ultimately linked to an advertising promotion in 1937 at New York’s National Motor Boat Show. This was the debut of his “Seuss Navy,” replete with an Admiral’s Membership Certificate, jigger drinking glasses, and his six re-purposed taxidermy sculptures, which he termed “Marine Muggs.”

    In describing Seuss’s Essomarine booth at the 1937 National Motor Boat Show in New York, where the Carbonic Walrus and the other Marine Muggs were first seen, a reporter for Yachting wrote, “From the briny depths of the imagination of the famous designer, Dr. Seuss . . . comes a collection of the weirdest denizens of the deep ever imagined in the wildest nightmare of a skipper.”

    Image Size: 17.75"H x 15.25"W x 15"D
    850 Arabic Numbers
    99 Roman Numerals for the Patrons’ Collection 155 Collaborators’ Proofs
    5 Hors d’Commerce
  • Flamingherring

    Flaming Herring

    $2,295

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    In the early 1930s, Ted Geisel created what he called A Collection of Unorthodox Taxidermy, a menagerie of Seussian animals constructed from real animal beaks and horns. On the heals of that project, Seuss embarked upon a second collection, this time of sea-going creatures, that he ultimately linked to an advertising promotion in 1937 at New York’s National Motor Boat Show. This was the debut of his “Seuss Navy,” replete with an Admiral’s Membership Certificate, jigger drinking glasses, and his six re-purposed taxidermy sculptures, which he termed “Marine Muggs.”

    Describing Seuss’s 1937 boat show exhibit, a reporter for Yachting wrote, “From the briny depths of the imagination of the famous designer, Dr. Seuss . . . comes a collection of the weirdest denizens of the deep ever imagined in the wildest nightmare of a skipper.” The Sludge Tarpon is the first release from the collection of six Marine Mugg sculptures.

    Dimensions: 22.5” x 16” x 6.5”
    850 Arabic Numbers
    99 Roman Numerals for the Patrons’ Collection 155 Collaborators’ Proofs
    5 Hors d’Commerce
  • Sludgetarpon
    The Sludge Tarpon

    $2,195

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    In the early 1930s, Ted Geisel created what he called A Collection of Unorthodox Taxidermy, a menagerie of Seussian animals constructed from real animal beaks and horns. On the heals of that project, Seuss embarked upon a second collection, this time of sea-going creatures, that he ultimately linked to an advertising promotion in 1937 at New York’s National Motor Boat Show. This was the debut of his “Seuss Navy,” replete with an Admiral’s Membership Certificate, jigger drinking glasses, and his six re-purposed taxidermy sculptures, which he termed “Marine Muggs.”

    Describing Seuss’s 1937 boat show exhibit, a reporter for Yachting wrote, “From the briny depths of the imagination of the famous designer, Dr. Seuss . . . comes a collection of the weirdest denizens of the deep ever imagined in the wildest nightmare of a skipper.” The Sludge Tarpon is the first release from the collection of six Marine Mugg sculptures.

    Dimensions:13.25”h 37”w 7”d
    850 Arabic Numbers
    99 Roman Numerals for the Patrons’ Collection 155 Collaborators’ Proofs
    5 Hors d’Commerce
  • Anthony
    Anthony Drexel Goldfarb

    $1,995

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    Anthony Drexel Goldfarb is the eighth and final taxidermy sculpture releaed from the works showcased in The Secret Art of Dr. Seuss book.

    To this day, the original sculpture remains mounted on the wall of the "Tower" within Seuss's home.

    Image Size: 13"H x 9"W x 13"D
    Limited Edition of 850 Arabic Numbers
    99 Patron's Collection
    155 Collaborator Proofs
  • Turtle
    The Turtle-Necked Sea-Turtle

    $2,895


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    Dimensions: h 9.25” w 16.75” d 22”
    850 Arabic Numbers
    99 Roman Numerals for the Patrons’ Collection 155 Collaborators’ Proofs
    5 Hors d’Commerce
  • Wolghast
    The Goo-Goo-Eyed Tasmanian Wolghast

    $2,895


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    Image Size: 17.75"H x 15.25"W x 15"D
    850 Arabic Numbers
    99 Roman Numerals for the Patrons’ Collection 155 Collaborators’ Proofs
    5 Hors d’Commerce
  • Kangaroo
    Kangaroo Bird

    $2,995


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    Image Size: 22.5"H x 9.5"W x 17.5
    Limited Edition of 850 Arabic Numbers
    99 Patron's Collection
    155 Collaborator Proofs
    5 Hors d’Commerce
  • Mulberrystreet
    Mulberry Street Unicorn

    $1,995


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    Of the eight taxidermy sculptures found in the Secret Art book, Ted chose only three sculptures for his mail-order sculpture project called the “Dr. Seuss School of Unorthodox Taxidermy.” In fact, Mulberry Street Unicorn is the centerpiece of this featured triad.

    Image Size: 14"H x 7"W x 91/2"D
    Limited Edition of 850 Arabic Number
    99 Patron's Collection
    155 Collaborator Proofs
  • Sawfish
    Sawfish

    $1,995


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    For years Geisel’s father, a zoo superintendent in Springfield, Massachusetts, had sent Ted beaks, horns and antlers from deceased zoo animals. Ted’s irresistible creative urge lead to the reincarnation of these artifacts as whimsical and surreal Seussian creatures.

    Image Size: 8"H x 27"W x 3"D
    Limited Edition of 850 Arabic Numbers
    99 Patron's Collection
    155 Collaborator Proofs
  • Sculpset
    Three Piece Sculpture Set

    AVAILABLE

    This item is in official SOLD OUT status, however, Thomas Lee Gallery has availability to this item either through our private collection or directly from the publisher.

    For pricing and time of delivery either call: 541-482-1135 or click here to email us about this item.

  • Greenlidded
    Semi-Normal Green-Lidded Fawn

    AVAILABLE

    This item is in official SOLD OUT status, however, Thomas Lee Gallery has availability to this item either through our private collection or directly from the publisher.

    For pricing and time of delivery either call: 541-482-1135 or click here to email us about this item.

  • Andoluvian
    Andulovian Grackler

    AVAILABLE

    With his oversized beak and disheveled hair, the Andoluvian Grackler abounds with Seussian personality. For years Geisel’s father, a zoo superintendent, sent Ted beaks, horns and antlers from deceased animals at the Springfield Massachusetts Forest Park Zoo. In the 1930s, Ted created sculptures based on what he thought these animals would want to be reincarnated as. He called this his “Collection of Unorthodox Taxidermy.”

    This item is in official SOLD OUT status, however, Thomas Lee Gallery has availability to this item either through our private collection or directly from the publisher.

    For pricing and time of delivery either call: 541-482-1135 or click here to email us about this item.

  • TwoHorned
    Two Horned Drouberhannis

    AVAILABLE

    This item is in official SOLD OUT status, however, Thomas Lee Gallery has availability to this item either through our private collection or directly from the publisher.

    For pricing and time of delivery either call: 541-482-1135 or click here to email us about this item.

  • Tufted-Gustard
    SOLD OUT

    Tufted Gustard SOLD OUT status. This item cannot be purchased through us.

  • BlueGreen
    SOLD OUT

    Blue Green Abelard SOLD OUT status. This item cannot be purchased through us.