Post by trehopr1 on Sept 10, 2019 8:59:09 GMT
This is one of 3 drawers of Gloss Papilio which I have acquired over these last 10 years. My holdings are very modest admittedly (only 35 specimens) but, I am quite happy to have found all of these fine specimens in old collections being parted out. These are of coarse a very popular group amongst collectors and I myself have indeed had a longstanding fondness for them as well.
Their dazzling colors and large size make them almost "infectious" to collect in terms of eye candy. There are approximately 25 or so recognized species however, the named subspecies are probably twice that number. Papilio ulysses for example (which is likely the most widespread of the lot) has something in the neighborhood of some 18 or so subspecies (last I heard).
Females of coarse nearly always fetch higher prices (unless the species is considered common). Little known or encountered subspecies from various East Asian Islands can be really tough to come by and are always contested for ownership rights. India has 2 spectacular species (Papilio buddha) + (Papilio krishna) which have been protected for years; yet still remain very much sought after.
I have been diligent in trying to get really nice examples for myself. For every choice one I acquire I've probably seen another 6 or 8 not so good ones. Of coarse, that's where the up-charge comes in.... I have never bought papered stock as quite a few of these are a little pricey and I don't want to risk the unseen "marred" specimen. I have managed getting 15 of the species thus far but, who knows if I may ever get any more... For an aesthetic collector like myself they are still one of the 1st and best things which I look for in old collections. Even if I just get a double or triple of something I already have; it's great just the same!
Their dazzling colors and large size make them almost "infectious" to collect in terms of eye candy. There are approximately 25 or so recognized species however, the named subspecies are probably twice that number. Papilio ulysses for example (which is likely the most widespread of the lot) has something in the neighborhood of some 18 or so subspecies (last I heard).
Females of coarse nearly always fetch higher prices (unless the species is considered common). Little known or encountered subspecies from various East Asian Islands can be really tough to come by and are always contested for ownership rights. India has 2 spectacular species (Papilio buddha) + (Papilio krishna) which have been protected for years; yet still remain very much sought after.
I have been diligent in trying to get really nice examples for myself. For every choice one I acquire I've probably seen another 6 or 8 not so good ones. Of coarse, that's where the up-charge comes in.... I have never bought papered stock as quite a few of these are a little pricey and I don't want to risk the unseen "marred" specimen. I have managed getting 15 of the species thus far but, who knows if I may ever get any more... For an aesthetic collector like myself they are still one of the 1st and best things which I look for in old collections. Even if I just get a double or triple of something I already have; it's great just the same!