Market Value Of Fur Skins
Categories: THE TRAPPER'S MISCELLANY.Below will be found an authentic table of the comparative values
of the various American furs at the present date of publication.
The quotations are those of one of our largest fur dealers, as
published in THE HAT, CAP AND FUR TRADE REVIEW, the leading journal
of the trade in America. Of course these values are constantly
varying--keeping pace with the eccentricities of fashion and the
demands of the fur trade; but
the table will serve at least to gauge the relative values, as
between the two extremes of common and scarce furs. The fur market
is a great deal like the stock market. It is constantly fluctuating,
and a fur which is to-day among the novelties, may next year find
itself on the low priced list. The demand for furs of any kind
is nearly always governed by fashion, and of course the value is
estimated on the demand. If the convention of fur dealers should
decide to usher in Muskrat fur as the leading and most fashionable
article in that line, the fashion would create the demand, the
demand would be in turn supplied by the trappers throughout the
country, and in proportion as the Muskrat skins became scarce,
so their value would increase. In this way a skin which may be
worth fifty cents at one time may soon acquire a value of twenty
times that amount. The comparative value of skins is, therefore,
constantly varying more or less; but the annexed table (page 283)
will be found useful for general reference, and for approximate
figures, will probably answer every purpose for some time to come.
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No. of No. of Estimated
Skins. Skins. Total Price according to average
KINDS. March Sept. No. quality. price per
Sale. Sale. skin.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
L s. d.
Badger 2,700 2,700 1s. to 7s. 1 06
Bear 5,217 2,794 8,011 5s. to L8 10s. 5 0 00
Beaver 111,993 37,052 149,045 4S. 3d. to 38s. 6d. 1 00 00
Fisher 2,843 779 3,622 8s. to L3 5s. 2 10 00
Fox, Blue 90 90 18s. to L4. 2 10 00
Cross 1,818 471 2,289 5s. to L4. 1 10 00
Kitt 6,930 6,930 2s. 8d. to 28s. 10d. 3 00
Red 6,914 1,383 8,297 4s. 6d. to 17s. 10 00
Silver 540 148 688 L3 10s. to L21. 10 00 00
White 7,312 7,312 2s. to 14s. 9d. 7 00
Lynx 2,468 1,652 4,120 9s. 6d. to L1 14s. 18 00
Marten 47,878 18,955 66,833 10s. to L3 19s. 1 10 00
Mink 31,802 12,896 44,698 4s. to L1 8s. 6d. 15 00
Muskrat 651,498 116,488 767,896 3d. to 16d. 00 8
Otter 8,571 2,681 11,252 14s. to L3 18s. 2 10 00
Sea 98 98 L4 10s. to L32. 15 00 00
Rabbit 10,029 10,029 3d. to 4d. 00 3
Raccoon 3,582 3,582 1s. to 3s. 3d. 2 6
Skunk 1,691 1,691 2s. to 7s. 4 00
Wolf 6,216 188 6,404 6s. to L2 15s. 15 00
Wolverine 1,770 320 2,090 8s. to L1 1s. 15 00
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AMERICAN FUR SKINS--TABLE OF VALUES.[*]
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Prime. Seconds. Thirds.Fourths.
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Badger $1.00 $0.50 $0.10 $
Bear, Black 18.00 9.00 1.00
Cub 10.00 5.00 1.00
Brown 7.00 4.00 1.00
Beaver, California per lb. 1.25 75 50
Southern 1.00 75 40
Upper Missouri 1.75 1.50 50
Lake Supr. and Canada. 2.50 1.75 75
Cat, Wild 40 10
House 15 10
Deer, Florida per lb. 20
Missouri 20
Elk and Moose per lb. 35 25
Fisher, Southern 7.00 5.00 1.00
Eastern and Canada 10.00 8.00 2.00
Fox, Silver 100.00 25.00 1.00
Cross 3.00 1.50 1.00
Blue 15.00 5.00 1.00
White 3.00 1.50
Red 1.75 1.00 75 25
Gray 3.00 1.50 50 25
Kitt 50 25
Lynx, Minnesota 2.50 1.00
Canada 4.00 2.00
Marten, Dark 10.00 6.00 2.00
Small Pale 2.00 1.00 50
Mink, Southern 1.00 50 25 10
Western 1.25 1.00 50 10
Middle States 2.00 1.25 50 10
Minnesota 2.50 1.50 75 20
New England 3.50 1.75 1.00 20
Quebec and Halifax 4.00 2.00 1.00 20
Muskrat, Southern 28 25 15 5
Western 30 28 18 6
Northern 32 30 20 8
Eastern 35 30 22 10
Opossum, Ohio 30 20 10
Southern 20 10
Otter, Southern 5.00 3.00 2.00 50
Northern 10.00 6.00 2.00 50
Rabbit 3
Raccoon, Southern 50 30 15 5
Western 1.00 50 20 5
Michigan 1.25 80 30 5
Seal, Hair 60
Fur 10.00
Skunk, Black Cased 1.00 60 40 10
Half Stripe 60 50 25 10
White 20 10
Wolf, Timber 3.00 1.50
Prairie 1.00 75
Wolverine 5.00 2.00
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[Footnote *: From the Hat Cap and Fur Trade Review.]
Notwithstanding all these advertised prices, the young trapper
often experiences great difficulty in a profitable disposal of his
furs. Like every other business, the fur trade runs in its regular
grooves, and the average furrier will often pay an experienced
professional five dollars for a skin for which he would not offer
a dollar to an amateur. This certainly seems discouraging, but
the knowledge of the fact is calculated to prevent greater
discouragement.
We often see fancy prices advertised by fur dealers for first-class
skins; but when the furs are sent, only a few are selected as prime,
the rest being rejected as worthless, or perhaps meeting with a
meagre offer far below the regular rates. In this way the dealers
have the opportunity of choice selection without incurring any
risk. Many a young trapper has been thus disappointed, and has
seen his small anticipated fortune dwindle down to very small
proportions.
The fur trade is supplied through regular professional channels;
and in giving our advice to the novice, we would recommend as the
most satisfactory and profitable plan that he should make his sales
to some local hunter or trapper, who has had experience with the fur
trade, and who is satisfied to pay a fair price for the various skins
with the probability of selling at an advance, and thus realizing
a profit.
In nearly every trapping locality such men are to be found, and
although the prices earned may be below the market rates, the amateur
takes none of the speculative risks of the business, and should
be willing to take lower prices on this account.
More
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A Fish Trap
Our list of traps would be incomplete without a Fish Trap, and although we have mentioned some contrivances in this line under our article on Fishing we here present one which is both new and novel. Its mode of construction is exactly similar ... A Light Home-made Boat
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Where trapping is carried on along the banks of the lakes and rivers, a boat of some kind becomes almost a positive necessity. The following examples represent those in most general use. Perhaps the most common form of the rough and ready order... Bowl Traps
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This substance, commonly known as Barkstone, by trappers and fur dealers, is obtained from the beaver, and is a remarkable aid in the capture of that animal. It is an acrid secretion of a powerful musky odor, found in two glands beneath the root of ... Castoreum Composition
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This department of the trapper's art is one of the most important and necessary, as affecting pecuniary profits. The value of a skin in the fur market depends entirely upon the care with which it is taken from the animal and afterward prepared, and ... Dug-out Or Log Canoe
It's general appearance is well indicated by the accompanying illustration. With the proper tools, one of these canoes is easily made. A sharp axe, an adze, a shaving knife, a round edged adze, and a small auger, are principally necessary; and a cro... Fenugreek
Like the two foregoing this plant is valuable for its seeds, which are used for medicinal purposes. The oil or bruised seeds may be used. ... Fish Oil
This is especially useful in the capture of the majority of the fur tribe, and particularly the water animals. The oil may be bought ready for use, or prepared with little trouble. The common method consists in cutting up fish of any kind, especia... Fly Paper
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Take a tumbler, and half-fill it with strong soap suds. Cut a circle of stiff paper which will exactly fit into the top of the glass. In the centre of the paper cut a hole half an inch in diameter, or, better still, a slice of bread may be placed on... Food And Cooking Utensils
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There is a very common and erroneous idea current among amateur sportsmen and others in regard to the baiting of the steel trap; viz., that the pan of the trap is intended for the bait. This was the old custom in the traps of bygone times, but no... Hoop Nooses
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In the following pages will be found full and ample directions for the trapping of all our leading game, together with detailed descriptions of peculiar habits of each species. The various articles contain careful descriptions, whereby the species m... Insect Ointments
These insects seem to have a special aversion for the scent of pennyroyal--an herb growing commonly in sandy localities--and a single plant rubbed upon the face and hands will often greatly check their attacks. The oil of pennyroyal is better, ho... Lavender
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Below will be found an authentic table of the comparative values of the various American furs at the present date of publication. The quotations are those of one of our largest fur dealers, as published in THE HAT, CAP AND FUR TRADE REVIEW, the lead... Medicines Or Scent Baits
These form one of the most important requisites of the trapper's art. A trap baited simply with the food of the required animal, may and often will be successful, but with the addition of the trapper's medicine judicially applied, success is almos... Musk
This substance is a secretion obtained from several different animals, notably the otter and muskrat. The glands which contain it are located similarly to the castor glands of the beaver, and the musk should be discharged into a vial, as previously ... Observations On The History Of Furs And The Fur Trade
In all cold climates, man has availed himself liberally of the warm covering with which nature has clothed the animals around him; but the wealth of the most favored nations has drawn to them the most beautiful furs, in whatever part of the world th... Oil Of Amber
This substance is frequently referred to in the following pages, and is a vegetable product of the amber gum of commerce. The Oil of Ambergris is also sometimes used by trappers, and is likewise known as Amber Oil. The two are thus often confounded,... Oil Of Anise
This is strongly recommended by many trappers as a most excellent universal medicine. It is a vegetable product, and is obtainable at any drug store. ... Oil Of Rhodium
This is a vegetable oil obtained from a species of rose, and is quite costly. Its power of attracting animals is surprising, and it is in very common use among trappers. ... Oil Of Skunk
This, the ne plus ultra, or quintessence of diabolical stench, yields the tempting savor which irresistibly attracts many animals to their final doom. It is contained in a pouch beneath the insertion of the tail of the animal, and is spread abroad b... Plan Of Campaign
The first thing to be considered in reference to a campaign is the selection of a trapping ground, and it is always desirable to choose a locality where travel by water can be resorted to as much as possible. Otter, mink, beaver and muskrat are amon... Quail Snare
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In case some of our readers might desire to tan fur skins for their own domestic purposes, the subjoined directions will be found to be reliable, and for all ordinary requirements, sufficiently adequate. For tanning with the hair on, the skin shou... Tent Carpeting
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From time immemorial, and in every nation of the world, the art of trapping has been more or less practised. By some as a means of supplying their wants in the shape of daily food, and by others for the purpose of merchandise or profit. To be a c... The Badger
The American Badger is mostly confined to the Northwestern parts of the United States, and it is a curious little animal. In size its body is slightly smaller than the fox. Its general color is grey, approaching to black on the head and legs. There ... The Barrel Trap
This most ingenious device possesses great advantages in its capabilities of securing an almost unlimited number of the vermin in quick succession. It also takes care of itself, requires no re-baiting or setting after once put in working order, and ... The Bat Fowling Net
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There are several species of the Bear tribe which inhabit our continent, the most prominent of which are the Grizzly, and the Musquaw or common Black Bear. There is no other animal of this country which is more widely and deservedly dreaded than the... The Bear Trap
This trap is constructed after the idea of the old-fashioned box or rabbit trap, and has been the means of securing many a hungry bear, or even puma, whose voracity has exceeded its cunning. The lynx and wild-cat are also among its occasional victim... The Beaver
The Beaver of North America has now a world-wide reputation for its wonderful instinct and sagacity. The general appearance of this animal is that of a very large muskrat with a broad flattened tail, and the habits of both these animals are in many ... The Bird Whistle
This instrument, also known as the prairie whistle, is clearly shown in our illustration. It is constructed as follows: First, procure a piece of morocco or thin leather. From it cut a circular piece one inch and a quarter in diameter. Through the c... The Board-flap
For the capture of mice this is both a simple and effective contrivance, and it may be enlarged so as to be of good service for larger animals. Procure two boards, one foot square and one inch thick, and secure them together by two hinges, as in... The Bow Trap
This device does duty in India and Southern Asia, where it is known as the tiger trap. It is easily constructed as follows: First cut a stout board five inches in width, two and a half feet in length and about two inches in thickness. Shave of... The Bow Trap
This most excellent and unique machine is an invention of the author's, and possesses great advantages, both on account of its durability and of the speedy death which it inflicts. Procure a board about two feet in length, by five or six in wid... The Box Bird Trap
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We now come to a variety of trap which differs in its construction from any previously described. It secures its victims alive, and without harm, and, when well made, is very successful. It may be set for squirrels, chipmunks, rats, mice, and the l...