Insect Illustration by CV Riley, Mantids, Modern Reprint of 1800’s Woodblock Print

This scientific illustration print was purchased from the Entomological Society of America (ESA) when they released a limited run of selected C.V. Riley woodblock prints. The ESA described the series as follows:

“In the late 1800’s, Charles Valentine Riley created an astounding collection of over 1,100 woodblocks and electrotype illustrations. The blocks, which have been ‘lost treasures’ for a number of years, are now being made available to collectors. We have selected four* of these meticulously rendered images and printed 100 copies of each.” (2002 ESA Catalog) *Another set of four was produced in 2001, with a print run of 250 each.

This particular item, “1869 Rear-horse mantid (Orthoptera: Mantidae),”* was one of the prints produced in 2002 (*outdated taxonomy). It is ready-for-framing and is temporarily mounted on 13″W x 10.5″H x 1/8″D foam board (with corner mounts) and shrink-wrapped. The cream-colored print paper measures 11”W x 8.5”H, overall. The image area is approximately 4.5”W x 3”H (not including the print number, 18/100). NOTE: There is a faint, transparent splash pattern on the bottom edge which would be covered by matboard when framed.

1. A copy of the cover page and illustration page of the report in which the illustration was used, FIRST ANNUAL REPORT ON THE NOXIOUS, BENEFICIAL AND OTHER INSECTS, OF THE STATE OF MISSOURI (1869).
2. A copy of the AMERICAN ENTOMOLOGIST magazine article in the FROM THE PAST section, “Rear-horses vs. grasshoppers” (2003, Vol. 49, No. 1).
3. An information page on the artist, Charles Valentine Riley.
4. The Entomological Society of America catalog entry describing the woodblock print series.
5. An information page on the Entomological Society of America.