Butterflies of Paradise (Franklin Mint)

[bmathison1972]

Review of the complete set of Butterflies of Paradise by The Franklin Mint (1987). I had previously reviewed the complete set of the Franklin Mint's Butterflies of the World (http://animaltoyforum.com/index.php?topic=1969.msg15494#msg15494) collection. When I bought the Butterflies of Paradise set, I hadn't realized it was incomplete. I only recently tracked down the 12th and final figure so I could do a review!

Of the 12 figures, 10 are unique species, and of the two that have been previously made, one is a magnet figurine and the other is a tentative ID based on wing shape rather than color pattern.

These are porcelain figurines. They are very well made but are very fragile. They are not toys to be played with. Each species is displayed on a specific plant as well and are marketed with both the butterfly's and flower's names. I assume the plants are native to where the butterfly is from, but I am not a botanist and didn't feel like researching.

While as porcelain figures I realize this set is not for everyone, this is a great opportunity to get nearly a dozen unique species!

On to the figurines, in no particular order:

1. BHUTAN GLORY, Bhutanitis lidderdalii on Himalayan maple (Podophyllum hexandrum)



2. TIGER. Tithorea harmonia on sunshine tree (Tabebuia serratifolia)



3. ROYAL ASSYRIAN, Terinos terpander on Philippine violet (Barleria cristata)



4. RED LACEWING, Cethosia biblis on common white jasmine (Jasminum officinale)



5. BLUE BANDED PEACOCK, Papilio arcturus on Asiatic poppy (Meconopsis grandis)
The only other figure of these I have is a magnet by Doug Walpus Art Studio.



6. SWORDTAILED TORTOISESHELL, Hypanartia paullus on frangipani (Plumeria alba)



7. GAUDY COMMODORE, Precis ocravia on African violet (Saintpaulia ionanthe)



8. FOREST BEAUTY, Paralethe dendrophilus on crossandra (Crossandra infundibuliformis)



9. LILAC TREE NYMPH, Sevenia pechueli on yesterday-and-tomorrow (Brunfelsia calycina)
This figure is misidentified on the accompanying paper as Eunica amelia, which is turn was misspelled as E. amulia.



10. LEOPARD, Phalanta eurytis on periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus)



11. ATOSSA NYMPH, Euriphene atossa on black-eyed Susan (Thunbergia alata)



12. PARADISE BIRDWING, Ornithoptera paridisea
This is the one I bought solo, so I do not have the card indicating what the flower is. I have tried online searches but I cannot find a checklist. This is also the other non-unique species. There is a figure in the K&M Butterflies Nature Tube I have identified as O. paridisea based on wing shape (although the color is more like O. priamus).

[Beetle guy]

They look really nice!

[brontodocus]

Wonderful! Wow, I can imagine when one buys these and waits for shipping... I'd be really worried they might break during shipping! Hmm, is this the first representation of Bhutanitis lidderdalii in figure form we see here?

[bmathison1972]

Wonderful! Wow, I can imagine when one buys these and waits for shipping... I'd be really worried they might break during shipping! Hmm, is this the first representation of Bhutanitis lidderdalii in figure form we see here?

This is the first of 10 of the species here ;-)

Yes when I buy them I always write to the seller to ship properly, even offering to pay extra sometimes to ensure their safety. Luckily, this set (and the solo at the end) were well-packed.

[brontodocus]

Wonderful! Wow, I can imagine when one buys these and waits for shipping... I'd be really worried they might break during shipping! Hmm, is this the first representation of Bhutanitis lidderdalii in figure form we see here?

This is the first of 10 of the species here ;-)

Yes when I buy them I always write to the seller to ship properly, even offering to pay extra sometimes to ensure their safety. Luckily, this set (and the solo at the end) were well-packed.

Hehe, of course I was wondering if this was the first (or only ever made) Bhutanitis lidderdalii figure/model since I can't recall having seen any other before.

[Isidro]

Going a bit botanical....

10. LEOPARD, Phalanta eurytis on periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus)


12. PARADISE BIRDWING, Ornithoptera paridisea
This is the one I bought solo, so I do not have the card indicating what the flower is. I have tried online searches but I cannot find a checklist. This is also the other non-unique species. There is a figure in the K&M Butterflies Nature Tube I have identified as O. paridisea based on wing shape (although the color is more like O. priamus).

That is clearly not based in the Madagascar periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus), with flowers red to white (usually pink), but on European periwinkle, probably Vinca major, whose flowers are blusih purple.

About the flower of the Ornithoptera, the four petals and general appareance make it clear that is a crucifer (Brassicaceae), very probably Matthiola incana.

[little koala]

I really like these butterflies and the overall colour composition with the flowers. Great pictures as well, the colours really pop!