Pale Clouded yellow butterfly Colias hyale (Linnaeus, 1758). Male. No data label, but from an old British Collection.
NOT A PROTECTED SPECIES
This specimen is one from a series of four males and two females from the collection of George Hayward Thomas Simpson-Hayward. Hayward was a professional cricketer who bowled for the England team,
and was reputedly the last serious exponent of underarm or lob bowling
in top-class cricket. Hayward's
collection was
housed at Malvern College in Worcestershire where he
was
educated.
I
learned of
the collection
via
a notice
titled
"Lepidoptera anyone?" in
the
Royal Entomological Society's bulletin 'Antenna' in 1994,
posted by the Malvern College bursar. Scans
of
the advert are available on enquiry.
After
graduating
from
Malvern,
Hayward
studied at Cambridge University. He
died aged 61
on
2nd October 1936 at Icomb Place, Gloucestershire. From
the data on his specimens, it appears
that he
did all
or most of his collecting after
retiring from cricket.
The
College bursar
mentioned
that Hayward had kept a diary that might have
given
more
insight into his
activities, but
had
been unable to
find
it. However,
Hayward's
collection, including
specimens
from
dealers and
exchanges with other
collectors
(evident from examples
of other species with others' data), had
always been
housed at Malvern College,
which
became its custodian when
he died. The College bursar
made no mention of
anyone having
then
added
to the
collection,
and
therefore
in
the absence of evidence to the contrary we
might
safely deem all specimens to have been taken before
the
end of 1936.
The Pale Clouded Yellow is an occasional migrant, and of note is that throughout the
nineteenth century and until 1950 or so, it was regarded as an
irregular visitor but often common. However, as all six specimens in the series lack data, it is not possible to know whether or not he himself had caught them (or found them as early stages) or whether in Britain or abroad. Therefore all one can confidently say is that this specimen had been in his possession and collected in or before 1936
Mounted on a white (steel) pin.
Condition
See photos, taken at two exposure settings to show up detail in the darker areas. There is a small chip at the outer margin of the left forewing, and a presumably pupal meconium stain near the left hindwing anal angle. Otherwise undamaged and very fresh looking. No repair or restoration.
From a smoke free and pet free home.
Combined postage and packing
I can combine the shipping of multiple specimens from auctions ending on the same day as this one and on the next three days. Just let me know once you've completed your bidding and I will send a combined invoice.
Notes re postal services:
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