British lampides boeticus

[Deleted]

For people who live in countries where l boeticus is common it will be hard for you to understand the exitement caused when this little insect turns up on British soil, this specimen was taken by my great friend T W Harman on his final collecting trip before his passing, dated 11th september 2015, Kingsdown, Kent.

[Adam Cotton]

I hadn't heard that Tony Harman had died, sorry to hear the sad news. I went on a trip with him and Mike Allen to Chanthaburi in about 1983.

Adam.

[Deleted]

Yes Adam it was very sudden, I only spoke to him the night before, he was on great form, I have just got back from appraising his collection with his son Martin.

[nomad]

Yes very sad news indeed. Did Tony exhibit this specimen or another at the BENH society?. I believe he was a member. I heard someone did. This specimen seems to have been on the wing for a few days. 

[Deleted]

No these were never exhibited, he took 13 in total, all had been on the wing a while, 7 were distributed amongst members of the Derbyshire entomological society, one was given to his son Martin and one to me, the rest are still on the setting board.

[nomad]

Where were the photographers. I have seen there was a lot at Kingsdown. The cats out of the bag, so to speak, they will not enjoy the number 13.

[nomad]

As dunc mentioned, few can imagine the thrill that a collector experienced when he captured a rare migrant in Britain. It mattered not that his prized specimen was common and widespread elsewhere. Up until a few years ago, Lampides boeticus was an extremely rare migrant to Britain, with its best year being in 1990 . Another good year was in 1945 when 38 were captured. Here is Ian Heslop's lovely female from that year.

[Deleted]

I am lucky to have a friend who lives in the area who can show me a place away from the click click stampede.

[trehopr1]

Dunc, I was once told an interesting story about Mr. Harman from a dealer friend of mine --- here across the pond. He lamented this tale of being contacted by a Tony Harman in Britain back in Dec.1985. He said that Mr. Harman was a cabinet collector who had purchased either a part or all of Paul Smart's lepi collection at that time (from Smart's wife). He went on to say that Mr. Harman did'nt want Smart's specimens per say but, wanted the cabinets and drawers that all were housed in as they were very ornate and dated back to the 1830's or 1840's. My dealer friend said he did purchase a portion of Smart's specimens and then returned to the states. Mr. Harman apparently got all the cabinetry and drawers.
Don't know if you know anything more of this story but, as they say I'm all ears if you have anything to add. Thanks Trehopr1.

[nomad]

just replaced your o with a =Harman   . Cannot imagine why anybody would not want any of Smart's collection, it was fabulous , well presented and full of perfect rarities, unless he did not collect those particular specimens.

[Deleted]

Tony has I think 9 Brady cabinets plus a whole host of other old cabinets that will be sold when the contents have gone. I do remember that he told me that he had been ripped off big time in an exchange with an American to whom he lost many choice specimens, including some of those illustrated in Smarts book, if I had known him a few years before then I would own those specimens and would have paid a fair price for them.

[trehopr1]

Dunc, I do not have any knowledge of any deals gone bad from that time. Nothing of the sort was ever mentioned to me of it. Of coarse, people in general will only tell you what they feel you need to know. I did'nt know my dealer friend back in 1985 so only he knows the facts. Had I known him back then I'd probably own some of those specimens myself as I certainly would have purchased some.
What was additionally mentioned to me was that my friend did get about 75 of Smart's "pictured" specimens from the book. Among those 75 were notably the Gynandromorph Papilio androgeus on page 59 and the female Papilio antimachus which was pictured in the book. Both fetched large sums for the time. If memory serves, I was told 4000 bucks on the antimachus female alone.
I was also told the remainder of the specimens which were not featured in the book amounted to some 3000 specimens. All the material was bought up quickly (I was told ) and dispersed. I was also told that because the specimens had been owned by Smart and had been so nicely prepared and curated they did'nt stay around long once word got out. Pictured specimens were given a small tag telling what page they were featured on (for provence purposes).

[bobw]

Dec 6, 2015 14:26:30 GMT @dunc01226 said:

I do remember that he told me that he had been ripped off big time in an exchange with an American to whom he lost many choice specimens.

Yes, I spent a couple of days with Tony and said American when he was over. We went to an auction at Sotheby's in Pulborough during this time.

Bob

[bobw]

I must admit I find it hard to understand the British obsession with these migrants. One day a butterfly's flitting around the dunes outside Calais and nobody has the slightest interest in it. The next day it's crossed the channel to Dover and it suddenly becomes very exciting and valuable. Why? It's still the same specimen!

Bob

[trehopr1]

Bobw, can you elaborate any about this auction you attended? How many specimens involved, type of cabinets, specifics of the auction --- anything. I feel as though I've only heard a part of the whole story....