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The Brimstone Butterfly

Order Item BSM-P91

$25.00

Captain Thomas Brown (1785-1862), was a British naturalist born in Perth, Scotland and was educated at the Edinburgh High School. After joining the Forfar and Kineardine Militia at the age of twenty, he was raised to rank of Captain in 1811. While quartered in Manchester, he became interested in nature. He purchased the Fifeshire flax mill after his regiment was disbanded. The mill burned down before he had the opportunity to insure it. Also a malacologist (studying mollusks), he began to write books about nature to earn a living. For twenty-two years beginning in 1840, he was curator of the Manchester Museum. Additionally, he became a fellow of the Linnean Society, a member of the Wernerian, Kirwanian, and Phrenological Societies. Of the several natural history books he wrote, some dealt with conchology (studying the shells of mollusks). There was a shell named after him called Zebina browniana.

Plate XXVII, Papilio rhamni. The Brimstone Butterfly is common in many places in the month of June. In its caterpillar state it is very seldom taken and when in the chrysalis condition it is very well concealed among the herbage with its green colour according so well with the surrounding leaves. The male alone is of a vivid yellow. The female is of a dull greenish white.

This particular plate is an original hand-coloured engraving from "The Book of Butterfies, Sphinges, and Moths" by Captain Thomas Brown, Volume One (1834). This bright, vividly coloured plate measures approximately 4 X 6.5 inches. The engraving is rather deep and can be felt on the underside of the plate. It is in very good condition for the age, with no foxing. Please note that our scan brightness was adjusted to show the true colour of the engraving. The actual plate has beautiful age toning. The engraved portion could be matted and/or framed to an area 3 .5 inches square, or larger to include the plate number and name of butterfly. The corresponding descriptive text page is shared with another engraving, the Mazarine Blue Butterfly. It will be included with the respective engraving purchase on a first-come, first-served basis. Please ask about its availability if you are interested, or perhaps you may consider the purchase of both corresponding engravings.

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