Real Butterfly Small Tortoiseshell acquired from Charles Darwin’s Estate

Description

Up for consideration is a specimen out of my prized butterfly collection.
A Small Tortoiseshell acquired from Charles Darwin’s Estate Garden,
Village of Downe, England, June 24th, 1982.
I’ve debated the past couple of years on letting this special family
heirloom go to someone who appreciates biodiversity and Natural Science.
A portion of the proceeds will help family, charities and a future conservation project.
Butterflies always fascinated me from an early age with my collection starting
at around age six. I acquired many specimens from the East Coast and this one from
England. Still absolutely amazing watching a caterpillar morph into a flying masterpiece.
History of our family really makes for an interesting story...
You may wonder how a child back in the seventies gained such interest in nature and a fascination
with the Natural World. I’d give all the credit to my father who was a genius in my eyes, well ahead of his time,
His studies included Darwin, Huxley, Carl Sagan and eventually working with Dr E.O. Wilson of Harvard.
Wrote many local newspaper articles on Science, Park naturalist, worked for the State in the Conservation department, started a Biodiversity company and many other accomplishments.
My father was adamant about The Conservation of Nature, had involvement in the first Biodiversity Symposium. Also while at Cambridge got to meet Stephen Hawking.
His dream was to adventure to Costa Rico and discover a new species like a modern Darwin as he did in the Galápagos Islands. This dream was cut short because of his untimely death in the early nineties, just before much thought of going back to school and acquiring a Doctorate in Science.
A little over a decade later Dr Wilson published “Pheidole in the New World”, almost an 800 page book cataloging Ants. Dr. Wilson discovered a new species the “Prattorum” named in honor of our father.
Recently found were our family slides of the England trip. An associate converted some into pictures that pertained most to Kent and Darwin’s House and believed gardens.
As stated before its extremely hard to let this prized possession go but I would rather this go to a collector who appreciates Natural Sciences and have it preserved for future generations.
If there are any interested parties regarding this auction please make any contacts through Ebay messages.
I rarely check emails and business and family takes up much of my time.
I’ve included pictures of butterfly, case, shadow box, protective cardboard sleeve, Dr. Wilson’s book,
Biodiversity Symposium Poster and top portion of plaque.
Winning bidder will receive butterfly, case, protective cardboard sleeve & shadow box.
Copy of correspondence letter can be provided after sale.
I have contacted a local lepidopterist who can verify authenticity.
Auction may end at anytime due to item listed locally and nationally.
Shipping is only to U.S. lower 48
No International Shipping
Deposit of ,000 due at end of Auction
Remaining balance due seven days after auction end
No warranty given, implied or expressed.
Thank you