It’s not unusual to find a real mummy or two at Billie’s place alongside authentic shrunken heads.
Bill Jamieson lives in an 6,500 square foot one bedroom apartment in an exclusive part of downtown Toronto. He uses most of his extra space to display his eclectic collection of primitive art… and to throw some of the best parties in town.
You may have heard of Billie’s acquisition of the mummy of Pharaoh Ramses I when he bought the contents of a museum formed in Niagara Falls, Ontario in the 19th century. It’s not unusual to find a mummy or two at Billie’s digs. One has to store them somewhere and besides, they make great backdrops for his legendary Halloween parties.
Of course invitations to these parties are in great demand… and I was lucky enough to receive just such an invitation. As you exit the private elevator into Billie’s posh condo you can’t help but notice his collection of shrunken heads on the right hand side. Gathered by real South American head hunters, one of the diminutive crania sports red hair and a mustache, certainly not the first European to lose his head in the pursuit of adventure in the jungle.
Apparently the preparation of these little trophies involves fishing the skull and brain out and then slow baking the remaining tissue to an amazing miniature of the original owner. Other primitive collectibles include skulls fashioned into ingenious decorative and spiritual items.
Further perusal reveals such intriguing items as the back of a horse-drawn hearse, now holding a saltwater fish take full of colourful tropical fish. The two headed calf and the various ferocious looking reptiles are mounted and pose no threat to visitors. Oh, and then there’s the stuffed full grown ostrich in Billie’s “modest” bedroom.
If you can draw yourself away from the exhibits you never know who you’ll find at his parties. Donovan Bailey, once the fastest man in the world, sometimes wanders downstairs to join in the fun and even Sir Mick Jagger has been known to pop in to see Billie’s collection. You often will run into the cream of the international scientific world here because Mr. Jamieson is a member of the world famous Explorers Club.
Of course this mix of people results in fascinating conversations. Often some major museum’s curator will give an impromptu talk on the history of some of Bill’s new acquisitions. The gentleman who exhumed and autopsied the members of the Franklin Expedition has been know to frequent this venue as have world renowned wildlife painters and photographers
You might run across a young female air force aerospace engineering officer who just finished climbing the highest peaks on all seven continents and a solo trek to the South Pole. Then again you might get an expert pole dancing demonstration from Billy’s fiancée Jessica, a fitness instructor (there’s one installed in the living room).
The bottom line is you never know who is going to show up or what’s going to happen at Billie’s parties.
And that’s just the way it should be.
Visit William Jamieson Tribal Art
Photo Credits
All photos © George Burden
“Author with engraved skulls”
“Deco Lady”
“Parties at Billie’s are always intriguing.”
[…] This place belonged to a famed shrunken head collector, its floors were graced by the likes of Mick Jagger and Steven Tyler and the building itself is one of the most sought-after apartment buildings in Toronto. Plus, […]