| Description | 2000, with additional material by Peter Marren and Basil Harley, foreword by Dame Miriam Rothschild, 272pp, superb colour plates and many black and white illustrations, clothbound and dustjacket, Harley Books. This engaging book charts the history of butterfly collecting in Britain since the 17th century. Although collecting is now an emotive subject it is impossible to separate the history of butterflies from that of their collectors. It provides a brief biography, with a portrait where available, of one hundred early lepidopterists together with quotations and anecdotes of their exploits. Chapters include the history of collecting, an illustrated description of equipment, important histories of 35 species of special interest, and collecting and conservation. In a very original presentation this is a fascinating glimpse into the past of a hitherto unresearched but ancient pursuit and makes compelling reading. (Originally 30) |
