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BRIAN GIBERSON

The Society of Crypto-Entomology

The Society of Crypto-Entomology

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The Society of Crypto-Entomology was founded in 1788 by Hyperion Wells, the grand father of noted author H. G. Wells. The institute was created to study the life cycle and habitant of elusive insects previously thought to be the stuff of myth and legend.

After the first few specimens were found, the leading intellectual lights of the gilded age would meet monthly for lectures in the King's Head Public House in East London. Honorary members and lecturers included explorer Sir Richard Burton , authors Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Alister Crowley, and even a young Charles Darwin. Many other noted naturalists, mystics, spiritualists, and explorers of the time, often frequented these lectures.

As the industrialization of modern society advanced, some insects were found to have a decidedly technological flair. It was uncovered that many were man-made imitations made for wealthy patrons by watchmakers and jewelers. However, in a few rare examples these techno insects actually existed in unusual and rarified habitats.

Much of the debate surrounding these specimens were regarding the origin and purpose of such creatures. Several schools of thought were advanced. Some held that this was spontaneous divine creation. Others felt they were from the future, technology merged with insect biology, that somehow was scattered back through time. Mr. Darwin advanced the theory that these were examples of adaption to environmental forces. The more mystic minded thought they were reflections of the collective unconscious, spontaneously springing forth as man marched forward into the age of invention.

The Society was disbanded in 1925 after the "Cottingley fairy" scandal brought the entire field of Crypto-Entomology into disrepute. Many of the specimens presented here are now thought to be extinct, these prints being the last remaining evidence of their existence.

Personifications

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This series gives a human face to some of mankinds more noble traits and concepts.

Hearts of Humanity

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This series explores some of the more noble traits of the human heart.

Lost Lands

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The lost lands series takes us on a tour of lost civilizations that still haunt the human inmagination.

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