Insects Lepidoptera Butterflies Chrysopahanus Caterpillar Chrysalis British Butterflies

Plate 28. Chrysophanus Chryseis (Purple-edged Copper Butterfly), Chrysophanus Phlaeas (Common Copper B.) with respective male, female, underside, Caterpillar & Chrysalis.

Plant illustrated: As part of the integrity of illustration Humphreys includes the botanical varietal preferred by the respective species: Rumex acetosella (Sorrel herb)

Genuine antique hand coloured lithograph, with applied gum arabic to enhance color, after British naturalist, illustrator and entomologist Henry Noel Humphreys (1810-1879)

Published London, Amen Corner, Paternoster Row by subscription between 1841-49 with species character descriptions by J. O. Westwood, Secretary of the Entomological Society.

Condition= Excellent. Supplied with copy of original butterfly descriptions.

Page size = 21.5 x 28.5 cm / 8.6 x 11.4 inch

British Museum & Henry Noel Humphreys

As a naturalist and entomologist Humphreys' was most particular that his illustrations layout the comprehensive life cycle transformation from caterpillars to butterflies by virtue of the chrysalis.  His method of visually explaining the idea of "metamorphosis" so impressed the British Museum curators that they adopted his meticulous display concept. "The study of natural history is the learning of the characters with which the wonderful story of nature is written; and cannot conceive a more pleasing and natural introduction to its general study than entomology, of which I think the division of Lepidoptera...the most easy and attractive section. " H.N. Humphreys, Esq, 1860