Entomology case, six Morpho didius specimens, c. 1905
Edwardian glazed display case of six iridescent Blue Morpho butterflies, pinned and labelled in period copperplate.
- SKU
- MS-CU-1005
- Era
- 1900-1950
- Condition
- Fine; original glazing, minor foxing to the paper backing.
- Dimensions
- 18 in. W × 14 in. H × 2.5 in. D
- Weight
- 4.2 lb
- Provenance
- From the study of a Norfolk vicarage; the collector was the vicar's father-in-law, a shipping agent based in Liverpool.
- Category
- Curiosities & Oddities
- Tags
- taxidermyentomologybutterflymorphoedwardian
An Edwardian mahogany-framed entomology case containing six specimens of Morpho didius, the Giant Blue Morpho of the western Amazon, arranged in two rows with wings spread. Each specimen is pinned to the original cork substrate and labelled in period copperplate: locality (Iquitos, Perú), date (variously 1903 and 1904), and collector's initials (H.J.W.).
Morpho didius is a common species and remains so; these specimens predate CITES by seven decades and are documented back to a single named collector working legally within the customs of his time. We hold copies of the original 1905 collection ledger.
The blue, if you have not seen it in person, is not a pigment. It is a structural interference effect produced by microscopic scales on the wing. It photographs poorly and rewards visitors accordingly.
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