vintage entomology taxidermy

The back features an official The Riker Specimen Mount label. Invented in the late 19th century and patented in the United States in 1902, Riker mounts were highly popular choices for amateur entomologists, professional scientists, and museums alike. They are distinctive for using compressed white cotton backing to hold a fragile specimen safely against a glass lid without needing pins.The Locality Notation: Written by hand in the Locality field is O.S.U. This abbreviation indicates that the specimen originally came from a university insect collection—most likely Ohio State University, which possesses an extensive, historically significant entomological collection.Historical Timeline: Given the style of the typography, the age of the paper backing, and the peak usage period for factory-labeled Riker mounts distributed to academic institutions, your specimen most likely dates from the first half of the 20th century (roughly between the 1920s and 1950s). Authentic, early-to-mid 20th-century Riker specimen mounts carry a nostalgic appeal. The fact that it is a factory-labeled, historical casing  is special.Institutional Provenance: The O.S.U. (Ohio State University) collection mark adds an intriguing layer of historical and academic interest. Antique items tied directly to early university science departments or museum archives generally command a premium from collectors who specialize in the history of science  Oddities, moth, vintage, collectibles, collector, art,