Butterfly collection 1950's-1960's

[alexd1021]

I am not a collector but recently came across a collection in my parents attic. A couple hundred butterflies in envelopes with data including geographical location, time of day, weather, conditions. They are in glassine envelopes inside other sealed envelopes. Most are in excellent condition but some have been compromised. All different kinds and colors but I'm not an expert. They are all from Costa Rica and dated late 1950's to early 1960's. I have a feeling these are valuable but I just learning about them. I was told to look for morpho and papillio type, and so far I believe I have found one morpho. Any information on where I should start to put a value on this collection would be greatly appreciated.

Alex

[trehopr1]

Based upon the story which you related I think it's safe to say that the material you found was most likely wild collected by someone who visited there. I draw this conclusion from the fact that they have as much specific data as they do. Most material from that time frame and sold to dealers (by local collectors) would not have such specifics. The whole lot will need to be frozen to prevent any further infestation or damage. Even at that each envelope will have to be individually inspected for specimen condition.
If the specimen is badly compromised it's basically trash. Papilio's if present may have some value in reasonably good shape. I don't know offhand of their being any rare Papilio's there. As for everything else it is most likely common stuff collected by that collector who never got around to preparing it up. There is probably little value in most things individually. Better to sell off the remaining good ones as a "lot" on EBay. I've seen it done before.
Costa Rica was collected by many during the 1960's,1970's, and into the 1980's when the gov't finally required permits to collect their fauna. Much of the butterfly fauna there is familiar to collectors who either have material already or have Phil Devries 2 books on the "Butterflies of Costa Rica" volumes 1+ 2.

[alexd1021]

Thanks for the information. If I share a few pictures could you tell me what you think? I list other stuff on eBay so I am familiar with selling there. I guess my question would be, would something like this stir up enough interest to let it go as an auction, or would I want to place a buy it now on it and wait for the right buyer? Again, thank you!

[alexd1021]

The information on many also includes latitude and longitude, and the elevation. There is also an old letter from a scientist in Mexico talking about marked butterflies that have ended up in his area from USA. I almost got the feeling that these may have been part of research or a students collection.

[neominois]

What condition are they in?

[mothman27]

Please do post some pictures of them. I think there would be enough interest for an auction.