16x exotic Nymphalidae including Eryphanis automedon

A museum-worthy lot of 16 exotic butterflies from the renowned Vestergaard collection. This lot contains 16 perfectly mounted specimens, mostly from the Amazon, the Andes, and Central Africa. The focus is on rare Nymphalidae, including some species that hardly ever appear on the market anymore. The display case features a mix of large eye-catchers and small, iridescent butterflies. All butterflies are dry-preserved and prepared with great care. This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance for the serious collector. Why this lot is so special: • Provenance Vestergaard: Ex. Vestergaard collection, a name that stands for quality and correct determination. • Rarity: With Eryphanis automedon as a gigantic centerpiece, the iridescent Lyropteryx apollonia [Riodinidae - extremely sought after], Lexias dirtea, and two different Callicore / Doxocopa species with vivid blue structural colours. • Diversity: 16 different species / subspecies from 3 continents, no duplicates. • Condition: Generally A1- to A2-quality. Some age spots fitting a historic collection, see photos. Antennas on most specimens intact. Individual description - 16 pieces [numbered from top left to bottom right as in photo 1] Row 1: 1. Panacea prola / Panacea procilla - The Red Flasher - Peru / Brazil Jet black with a striking metallic turquoise band. Highly sought-after Amazon species. Nymphalidae. 2. Phoebis argante - Orange-barred Sulphur. Central & South America. Brilliant yellow Pieridae. Perfect lemon-yellow color, rare in this size and quality. 3. Euploea leucostictos / Euploea eunice - Blue King Crow. Southeast Asia Black with white spots and a gorgeous blue-gray haze on the ventral wings. 4. Euphaedra medon / Euphaedra Jeanette - The Widespread Forester. Central Africa. Large forest-dweller. Brown with a white band and subtle blue iridescence. Heavy species from the Congo / Cameroon region. Row 2: 5. Zaretis itys / Siderone galanthis - Leafwing - Central & South America Bright orange-red leaf butterfly. The shaped wing margin provides perfect camouflage. Nymphalinae. 6. Eryphanis automedon - Purple Mort Bleu. The centerpiece !!!! Central & South America. Huge! Brown with a white band and a deep purple-blue sheen on the ventral wings. Wingspan up to 13–15 cm. The star of this lot and highly sought after by collectors. 7. Callicore aegina / Callicore cynosura - Aegina Numberwing. Amazon region. Black with vivid orange and electric blue spots. The famous "88" butterfly family. Absolutely top piece, rare in trade !!! 8. Appias drusilla / Phoebis philea - Orange Albatross. Central & South America. Bright orange-yellow Pieridae with gorgeous green body. Row 3: 9. Eunica alcmena / Myscelia cyaniris - Purple Wing. South America Blue-green iridescent with a beige band and black dots. Beautiful color shift depending on light. 10. Doxocopa cyane / Doxocopa laure - Cyan Emperor / Asterope markii. Peru. Dark brown with intense neon-blue mirrors on the ventral wings. Highly sought-after species, difficult to photograph !!! 11. Cymothoe sangaris / Cymothoe caenis - Blood-red Glider. Central Africa. Small, cream-white with orange and brown markings. Delicate African species. 12. Appias lyncida / Ascia monuste - White Albatross. Asia / Americas. Snow-white with black wing tips. Very elegant and large. Row 4: 13. Lexias dirtea / Lexias pardalis - Archduke. Malaysia / Indonesia. Large, dark brown butterfly with big white patches. Very imposing, male. 14. Catonephele numilia - Grecian Shoemaker. Central & South America. Black velvet with 4 large orange spots and blue edge. Iconic species. 15. Lyropteryx apollonia - Apollo Metalmark. Amazon / Peru - ULTRA RRARE !!!!! Small black jewel with fine blue striped wings and red spot. Belongs to the Riodinidae, metalmarks. Almost never offered in European lots. A top piece for specialists !!!! 16. Dryadula phaetusa / Dione juno - Banded Orange Heliconian Central & South America. Bright orange with black bands and stripes. Heliconiinae, very decorative. Condition: Professional preparation, pinned in an insect box. See the close-up photos for state of each specimen. Light aging marks possible given the age of the Vestergaard collection. This lot will never be assembled again. A one-off unique opportunity for the advanced collector to acquire 16 tropicals from a historic collection in one go. We have just received 100 new Vestergaard museum drawers !!!! Again, a very large complete scientific insect collection. Provenance Vestergaard / Gyulai and several other national and international entomologists. We will auction this collection again without reserve prices on Catawiki, so keep an eye on my listings. Pickup is preferred due to the fragility. If you buy multiple boxes, we can arrange a personal delivery. If shipping, we will package the boxes carefully and very securely. Although all insects are securely mounted on pins, there is always a small chance of damage. Therefore shipping is at your own risk. We have shipped more than 80 boxes so far and all have arrived well, except for one that fell off a pin. Handled with great care and shipped insured.

Estimate:£167.43

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