In a cellophane "prison" for 47 years

Discussion on butterflies, moths and skippers
Post Reply
User avatar
Trehopr1
Global Moderators
Global Moderators
Reactions:
Posts: 982
Joined: Thu Mar 31, 2022 1:48 am
United States of America

In a cellophane "prison" for 47 years

Post by Trehopr1 »

Last year I had a chance to pick up a piece of Entomology
memorabilia from ebay. It is a "collectors kit" which was
produced by NSI (Natural Science Industries) which is just
another name for The Butterfly Company which existed in
New York throughout the 1960's, 1970's, and up to the mid-
1980's. Many clients here in the U.S. purchased specimens
from there for years.

The Butterfly Company also sold a limited supply of various
insect supplies, nets, books, and this all-in-one (kit) which
was offered on a supplemental page in their catalog.

Image

I saw this offered last year and purchased it as I never purchased
it when I could have (back in the day). It is a complete kit
and I marveled at the fact that it had sat around (likely) somebody's
attic or basement for 47 years ! It is completely original.

I quickly noticed some butterfly specimens present (which you
can see in the picture). All were in (clear) cellophane envelopes
and sealed into one neat pack. Of coarse, the movements of
the other supplies contained within the box contributed to most
all of the butterflies being (largely) damaged or crushed EXCEPT
for one....

I took this singular un-damaged butterfly to my relaxer and spread
it easily a day later. This particular kit has a 1975 date on it in small
print. So, that puts the specimen to (at least) 47 years of age when
it was initially enclosed in the kit and the time I purchased it last
year.

So, after some 47 years of a "cellophane" prison this butterfly once
again gets to show it colors and beauty to be appreciated.

This is Melanitis leda ismene (as listed on the back of the sealed packet).

Underside

Image
It still has all its legs present....

Upperside

Image

Yes, hardly the best example (topside) !
Yes, no specific data attached to it either.

However, "special" because in all the movements of that kit
over all those years it managed to STAY intact for someone
to "free-it" one day and admire it for its longevity and simple
beauty.
User avatar
livingplanet3
Premium Member - 2024
Premium Member - 2024
Reactions:
Posts: 584
Joined: Tue May 24, 2022 4:55 pm
United States of America

Re: In a cellophane "prison" for 47 years

Post by livingplanet3 »

Trehopr1 wrote: Wed Mar 22, 2023 7:51 pm Last year I had a chance to pick up a piece of Entomology
memorabilia from ebay. It is a "collectors kit" which was
produced by NSI (Natural Science Industries) which is just
another name for The Butterfly Company which existed in
New York throughout the 1960's, 1970's, and up to the mid-
1980's. Many clients here in the U.S. purchased specimens
from there for years...
That's a fantastic piece of entomological memorabilia you have there, Trehopr1, and in such good condition, too! I was hit with quite a wave of nostalgia by your post, as I too recall having seen this kit in the Butterfly Company catalog's supplemental pages, decades ago. Such a different and simpler time, that was.
User avatar
boghaunter1
Premium Member - 2024
Premium Member - 2024
Reactions:
Posts: 271
Joined: Mon May 23, 2022 7:16 pm
Canada

Re: In a cellophane "prison" for 47 years

Post by boghaunter1 »

Hi Trehopr :o

Are you referring to "The Butterfly Company" out of Far Rockaway (not sure of spelling), New York? If so I think this was the business that I ordered my very 1st tropical insects from way back in the mid 1970's. They had great prices & small, cheap, bulk lots of butterflies... I remember getting a half doz. M. rhetenor (A-) for less than/around 20 bucks! I still have some of them... I couldn't believe the incredible blue color on these 1st Morphos I ever saw in person as a kid! I agree Trehopr... I think quite a few of us older collectors remember & did some business with them. I know I even kept some of their beautiful, colorful brochures & price lists (still have them somewhere!). Didn't they also sell Glanz (spelling?) relaxing fluid as well?.. still have a sealed bottle of that somewhere as well! I'm sure this company was discussed (& the neat color brochures shown) in one of the older forums. Thanks, indeed for bringing back memories of my youth Trehopr! Very, very nostalgic/good memories as livingplanet3 said.

John K. :D
User avatar
livingplanet3
Premium Member - 2024
Premium Member - 2024
Reactions:
Posts: 584
Joined: Tue May 24, 2022 4:55 pm
United States of America

Re: In a cellophane "prison" for 47 years

Post by livingplanet3 »

boghaunter1 wrote: Thu Mar 23, 2023 5:08 am ...Didn't they also sell Glanz (spelling?) relaxing fluid as well?.. still have a sealed bottle of that somewhere as well!...
I've often wondered what the formulation of that product was. Ethyl acetate? Benzene?

Its name is a reference to the company's founder, Aminadov Glanz -

https://www.caledonianrecord.com/featur ... eeead.html

Image
User avatar
boghaunter1
Premium Member - 2024
Premium Member - 2024
Reactions:
Posts: 271
Joined: Mon May 23, 2022 7:16 pm
Canada

Re: In a cellophane "prison" for 47 years

Post by boghaunter1 »

Livingplanet3,

Thanks for the Mr. Glanz pic. I've often wondered the same thing...what exactly was Glanz relaxing fluid? :? I recall it wasn't too irritating or unpleasant to the nose or eyes. I can't remember actually using it or if it was more effective than plain water. I thought it was supposed to be applied directly to a butterflies body or to a beetles appendages to soften them up within minutes... ready for mounting... a miracle relaxing agent. :roll:

John K.
User avatar
livingplanet3
Premium Member - 2024
Premium Member - 2024
Reactions:
Posts: 584
Joined: Tue May 24, 2022 4:55 pm
United States of America

Re: In a cellophane "prison" for 47 years

Post by livingplanet3 »

boghaunter1 wrote: Thu Mar 23, 2023 4:29 pm Thanks for the Mr. Glanz pic. I've often wondered the same thing...what exactly was Glanz relaxing fluid? I recall it wasn't too irritating or unpleasant to the nose or eyes. I can't remember actually using it or if it was more effective than plain water. I thought it was supposed to be applied directly to a butterflies body or to a beetles appendages to soften them up within minutes... ready for mounting... a miracle relaxing agent...
As I recall, it wasn't very effective at all. Of course, I might not have been using it the right way. :roll: Other methods of relaxing, which have been discussed on this forum recently, sound much more promising.
Post Reply

Create an account or sign in to join the discussion

You need to be a member in order to post a reply

Create an account

Not a member? register to join our community
Members can start their own topics & subscribe to topics
It’s free and only takes a minute

Register

Sign in