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Post by trehopr1 on Mar 4, 2015 4:44:07 GMT
Does anyone own a copy of this MOST unusual book by Mr. Denton? It really is a MUST for book lovers. A friend of mine showed me a copy (only 500 made) and I must say --- COOL ! It is quite old (published in 1900). I was told Mr. Denton actually started it in 1898. Inside each volume there are 63 to 65 plates. And each plate has different butterfly and moth " wing scales" affixed to TISSUE PAPER !
And no they are not butterfly/moth wings simply glued to the tissue paper. Whatever techniques were involved were unique to this man. He mastered it in producing 500 volumes in 2 years. I have NEVER known of another book quite like it. The plates are quite delicate so the pages must be turned VERY CAREFULLY ! I was told by my friend that copies in quite good condition sell for rather high prices.
If anyone is familiar with this book OR Mr. Dentons unique methodology than please indulge us...
Note: Believe it or not I was SO ENGROSSED leafing through the book and jotting down some of the story behind it --- I forgot to look at what the books title was !
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Post by mygos on Mar 4, 2015 9:20:42 GMT
There is one for sale here : www.antiquariaatjunk.com/item.php?item=9201&c_sourcepage=search.php%3Fpg%3D1%26amp%3Bs_author%3D%26amp%3Bs_title%3D%26amp%3Bs_keywords%3Ddenton%26amp%3Bs_currency%3D%26amp%3Bs_pmin%3D%26amp%3Bs_pmax%3D%26amp%3Bs_sort%3D%26amp%3Bs_direction%3D%26amp%3Bs_bookid%3D%26amp%3Bs_viewmode%3D%23booknr9201&s_currency=As Nature shows them. Moths and Butterflies of the United States East of the Rocky Mountains. With over 400 photographic illustrations in the text and many transfers of species from life. Boston, Bradlee Whidden, (1897-) 1900. 2 volumes. Royal-8vo (245 x 170mm). pp. xiv, (6), 1-161; pp.xiv, (3), 164-361, with 56 transfers of species from life and over 400 photographic illustrations. Contemporary red half morocco, spines in 5 compartments with gilt butterfly ornaments and gilt lettering (skilful repair to joints). Printed in a limited edition of 500 copies only; the present copy is number 151. "The colored plates, or Nature Prints, used in this work, are direct transfers from the insects themselves; that is to say, the scales of the wings of the insects are transferred to the paper while the bodies are printed from engravings and afterwards colored by hand. The making of such transfers is not original to me, but it took a good deal of experimenting to so perfect the process ... and what magnificent illustrations they are embodying all the beauty and perfections of the specimens themselves!" (From the preface). "Thousands of Lepidoptera were killed in the process of producing 500 copies of S.F. Denton's work.... Conservation was not uppermost in people's minds at this time" (Gilbert p. 126). Nissen ZBI, 1079. A+, Michel |
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Post by trehopr1 on Mar 5, 2015 6:54:00 GMT
WOW... $3300.00 USD.
My friend wasn't kidding when he said this book is rather EXPENSIVE in good condition ! !
WOW AGAIN...
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Post by trehopr1 on Mar 5, 2015 6:57:00 GMT
Ahem, by the way Mygos do YOU own any copies?
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Post by Paul K on Mar 5, 2015 7:04:39 GMT
It is expensive book but one of the kind . I would love to have one of those as probably many of us.
Paul
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Post by mygos on Mar 5, 2015 7:13:07 GMT
Ahem, by the way Mygos do YOU own any copies? Although I agree it is an incredible work, personnaly I don't like that much ! I either prefer real butterflies in a box or nice XIXth century engraved plated hand colored ... So I do not have one in my library, but I don't think that 3.300,- $ is that high compare to the scarcity ? A+, Michel |
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Post by Paul K on Mar 5, 2015 8:13:42 GMT
I found on Abebooks.com 8 copies of that book for sale starting at $2200 to $8000 ! If anyone interesting . Personally same as Michel I would invest that money to real butterflies or collecting trip , except blue O.victoriae  |
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