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Post by nomad on Jan 2, 2016 13:44:12 GMT
I know that some collectors will repair a butterfly wing, especially where any chips or slits are confined to one colour area such as the margin. Others will not, they say they do not like Frankenstein specimens and it would ruin the scientific value of the specimen. Let's be honest, you are going to look at your specimen for the rest of your life. Wing repair is not easy, I have seen some bad jobs, but one German dealer does it so expertly that unless you study the specimen closely you do not notice any difference, he is always too busy but he could set up a good side line in wing repair of rare specimens. I guess that he sells his repaired specimens more easily than if he offers chipped specimens.
So will you as a collector, repair the wings of your specimens or not ?.
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Post by wollastoni on Jan 2, 2016 14:29:22 GMT
Interesting topic.
I personnally don't repair them, damage makes part of the life of the specimen to me.
I only repair when a wing may fall, then I glue it.
But I never do some "patchwork".
I can understand why some collectors and some sellers are doing it. No problem to me, they should only write on the label that the specimens has been repaired.
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Post by deliasfanatic on Jan 2, 2016 15:33:01 GMT
I don't do it, although I have many of them in my collection that were acquired in this condition. If a tail was knocked off in shipping and is present in the envelope, of course I will reattach it, but that's not the same as adding pieces from other butterflies, often from different species!
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Post by wollastoni on Jan 2, 2016 17:33:40 GMT
In Paris, I have seen a reconstructed Charaxes fournierae, made from a B- Charaxes fournierae + some pieces of Euphaedra.
Frankly, the specimen looked A1- and not strange at all. The guy who made it was an artist/expert.
I would not buy it though.
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Post by cabintom on Jan 2, 2016 18:17:44 GMT
You've seen photos of some of my specimens, so I think it's obvious that I don't repair them. Having a less than perfect specimen just encourages me to keep looking for one in better condition.
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Post by mygos on Jan 2, 2016 18:56:27 GMT
I remember Claude Moinier, a famous Ornithoptera collector back in the 70th who was cutting the outside 1/2 mm around Orithoptera with a pair of scissors to make them A1 !
As Danny said, I would reattach a broken tail or antenna, but not more ...
A+, Michel
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Post by wollastoni on Jan 2, 2016 22:16:09 GMT
Wow ! That's crazy !
And to me they won't be A1 but B-...
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Post by deliasfanatic on Jan 3, 2016 0:37:54 GMT
A New York dealer of some notoriety did that many years ago too!
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Post by bobw on Jan 3, 2016 0:50:58 GMT
I think you'll find that most of the major European dealers repair damaged specimens to make them "look better". I would never do it myself as I prefer specimens to remain in the condition in which they were caught; however I have several specimens in my collection that I've bought already repaired, it's either this or pay crazy prices for A1 specimens - if they're ever available.
Bob
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Post by Paul K on Jan 3, 2016 6:25:28 GMT
I usually try to collect only A1, A1- specimens. If I catch weathered, chipped ,old specimen if it is a common species I simply release it and wait for better example.
I keep less perfect examples when I know the chances for better one are slim .
I glue teared wings so they can keep same level when dry.
Sometimes, but very rarely I do repair small chips ( no larger then 2x2mm ) , but always with the same species and exactly the same wing area so repair is nearly invisible.
I do this only for common specimen which I know the scientific value is rather low and it wouldn't matter at this point.
I would never "fix" rare, valuable specimen just for esthetic purpose.
Paul
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