The Aurelian Legacy - a History of British Butterflies and their Collectors

by Michael Salmon, Peter Marren & Basil Harley

A fascinating and detailed account of men and women who have made valuable contributions to our knowledge of British butterflies and of their early and often complex history. 

From 1553 to the present day, this book covers brief biographies of 101 lepidopterists, species of historical interest, nostalgic illustrations of old equipment, good colour plates & text figures.

Although the collecting of butterflies is today an emotive subject, it is impossible to separate a history of British butterflies from a history of their collectors, without whose activities our knowledge of the identification, occurrence, distribution, and variation of British butterflies would be much the poorer.

Liberally laced with contemporary quotations, this book brings to life the past three hundred years of butterfly study, with details of early societies, collecting equipment, biographies of 101 deceased lepidopterists, with portraits where available, as well as the chequered history in Britain of some 35 species of butterfly. The colour plates include some of the finest butterfly illustrations ever.

Highly recommended.

Condition

Used, excellent condition. Dust jacket damaged to the top and bottom. See photos.