Stuffed unicorn up for sale - 12/04/2010

A stuffed unicorn is one of a number of bizarre creatures to go under the hammer at an upcoming auction.

Other lots to be sold tomorrow (April 13th) at Duke's auction house in Dorchester include a stuffed yeti and a flying cat, according to the Daily Telegraph.

The make-believe animals formed part of a museum of taxidermy exhibition popular during the Victorian era.

As a result of being exhibited alongside other unusual but real animals, such as a two-headed sheep, it is thought that many Victorians would have believed the pieces were real.

Rupert Perry-Warnes, from Duke's auction house, told the news provider: "We are selling the animals without reserves and they must all go. We have real animals in the sale but also these peculiar fictional ones.

"They are well put together so you can understand why people might have been fooled."

The collection, which also includes a Mermaid, was put together by the fictional adventurer professor Copperthwaite.