$1,230
Denton, Sherman F. (fl. circa 1900) Moths and Butterflies of the United States . Boston: Bradlee Whidden, 1900. First edition, two large octavo volumes, limited edition, copy number 119 of 500, illustrated with more than 400 "Nature Prints" of moths and butterflies (for more on the technical process, see below); Denton collected more than 50,000 specimens for the printing of this edition, and prepared the plates himself; this copy is bound in contemporary half-morocco, rebacked, t.e.g., contents good, 9 3/4 x 6 3/4 in. (2) "Insects, such as butterflies and moths, have minute, colored or iridescent scales on their wings that make up the distinctive patterns used for identification. In the late-1700's French entomologists developed several methods for making direct transfers of these delicate scale patterns that could be used to illustrate scientific identification guides. The wings of a dead specimen are spread out flat and carefully dried. The piece of paper to be printed is coated with a thin layer of gum-arabic. A specimen is placed on the paper and pressed gently into place. When well attached the body is cut away. A second sheet of adhesive paper is placed on top and pressure is applied. When the wings are removed the scales adhere to the paper and the precise color patterns of the upper and lower surfaces of the wings remain. The body is either painted in or engraved and hand colored." from the Nature Printing Society www.natureprintingsociety.org
Auctioneer:
Skinner
Date:
2014-05-31
