Heliconia Narcaea, Ilione & Charitonia Butterflies

23.5 x 14.5cm (9.25x 5.5 inches).

Heliconia narcaea butterfly from Antilles Islands in Caribbean. Heliconia ilione butterfly from Brazil. Heliconia charitonia butterfly from North American and South American continents.

This rare antique engraving is from "Histoire Naturelle des Lepidopteres Exotiques" by Pierre-Hippolyte Lucas. It was made in Paris in 1834, has superb original hand painted colouring and is in very good condition. The paper has a pleasant light cream tone. There is a little minor foxing. Lucas was a French entomologist at Paris's Natural History Museum.