Review: Butterflies of the World (Franklin Mint)

A review of the complete set of Butterflies of the World by the Franklin Mint (mid 1980s). These are not models or toys, but rather porcelain figurines produced as collectibles in the mid-1980s (I think most were released 1985-1986). I think the way they were originally sold, is you subscribe to the set and you get one a month for 15 months. I have always thought about acquiring this set and finally decided to go for it.

There are 15 figures, all but four of them have not been made yet in toy form to my knowledge (and of those, one only as a larva), so it’s a good way to get several new/unique species! I have to admit--pics on line to NOT do these figurines justice. Holy cow, they are NICE!

I have supplied the Latin names for both the butterflies and the flowers on which they are sitting, based on the common names provided. I am not a botanist and did not feel like researching to see if the butterfly and its corresponding flower actually occur together in nature (for a couple of the North American species I know they are matches!).

1. purple beak, Libythea geoffroy (on Guinea flower, Hibbertia)

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2. tufted jungleking, Thauria aliris (on skyvine, Thunbergia grandiflora)

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3. zebra longwing, Heliconius charithonia (on morning glory, Ipomoea)
I have a larva of this species from an unknown manufacturer.

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4. queen purpletip, Colotis regina (on Watsonia)

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5. marbled white, Melanargia galathea (on bellflower, Campanula)

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6. owl butterfly, Dasyophthalma rusina (on rain lily, Zephyranthes)

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7. glasswing butterfly, Melinaea mneophilus (on golden trumpet, Allamanda cathartica)

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8. mangrove skipper, Phocides pigmalion (on water poppy, Hydrocleys nymphoides)

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9. blue doctor, Rhetus periander (on Oxalis)

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10. Adonis blue, Polyommatus bellargus (on musk mallow, Malva moschata)

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11. fiery acraea, Acraea acrita (on Hibiscus)

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12. eastern tiger swallowtail, Papilio glaucus (on common daisy, Bellis perennis)
This species has been made in toy form several times. I have figures by K&M Wild Republic (Mini Butterfly Polybag), Safari LTD (Hidden Kingdom Insects and Butterflies Collectors Case), and Toy Major.

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13. malachite, Siproeta stelenes (on oleander, Nerium oleander)

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14. monarch, Danaus plexippus (on flowering dogwood, Cornus florida)
This is probably the most commonly-made species. I have figures by 4D Famemaster (Butterfly Collection), Cadbury Yowies (Australian and UK releases), CollectA, Groovy Tube Books (Bug Blast!), K&M Wild Republic (Butterfly Nature Tube; Insects Polyvinyl Bag), Safari LTD (Hidden Kingdom Insects; Authentics Insects; Safariology Life Cycle; Smithsonian Insects [larva only to-date]), Toy Major, and several unknown manufacturers.

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15. blue morpho, Morpho menelaus (on rocktrumpet, Mandevilla splendens)
I have figures specifically attributable to this morpho species by Kabaya (World Insect Series I), Safari LTD (Butterflies TOOB), and a large one (200 mm wingspan) by an unknown manufacturer, but other figures of other Morpho spp. occur.

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That are beautieful butterflys :)