An original early 19th/20th-century hand-tinted glass lantern slide by pioneer British natural history photographers Richard and Cherry Kearton.
This square 3¼ × 3¼ inch glass lecture slide features a striking study of a Small Tortoiseshell Butterfly (Aglais urticae) resting on a stone or mortar surface. The butterfly has been meticulously hand-coloured, displaying vibrant orange wings, crisp dark costal markings, distinct yellow patches, and fine blue submarginal crescents.
Bound in classic period black paper edge-tape, the slide retains an original paper index label marked "33." in the upper right corner.
A superb example of early wildlife photography and lantern slide production for natural history lecturing.
Photographers: Attributed to Richard & Cherry Kearton, legendary pioneers of field wildlife photography in Great Britain.
Format: Original 3¼" × 3¼" (83mm × 83mm) Glass Projection Lantern Slide.
Usage: Created for Richard Kearton's famous public natural history lantern lectures and touring slide series published alongside their groundbreaking works for Cassell & Co. (such as Wild Nature's Ways and Keartons' Nature Pictures).
Historical Significance: The Kearton brothers were renowned for using specialised camouflage hides and hand-tinted lantern slides to bring authentic British flora and fauna to life for Edwardian lecture audiences.
Glass: Excellent condition with no cracks, chips, or glass fractures.
Image/Emulsion: Exceptionally clear and sharp silver gelatin emulsion with zero signs of lifting or heat damage.
Hand-Tinting: Hand-applied pigments remain remarkably vivid, rich, and well-preserved with excellent colour accuracy.
Binding & Mount: Original black paper binding tape is intact around all four edges with light, authentic age-related shelf wear.
Labels: Original vintage paper index label ("33.") remains firmly adhered to the top-right corner.
Please review the high-resolution listing photos for exact visual condition.
Subject: Small Tortoiseshell Butterfly (Aglais urticae)
Medium: Hand-Tinted Glass Lantern Slide (Silver Gelatin Emulsion)
Dimensions: Standard 3¼ inch × 3¼ inch (83mm × 83mm)
Date: c. 1895–1910
Country of Origin: United Kingdom