[ A1 ] DESIGNATION

1.  Specimen should be as close to 'ex-pupae' as possible, but not quite.

2.  Only the most tiny hint of wear, wing venation wear, flight evidence is allowed.  Such minimal wear does not detract from specimen in any way. 

3.  No tears, chips, splits, rubs, broken tails, or edge-of-wing-fraying allowed.  Such wing edges should be super-clean meaning no more than a mere hint of flight wear.

4.  It is as though the specimen flew for only a day, if that.  Any flaws that detract from the specimen in any way cause it to NOT be A1.

5.  No pinning holes allowed (for mounted specimens) or any type of vein crimpage(bending of a vein causing a straight vein to look 'bent').

6.  It is assumed that A1 specimens are without a prior mounting hole (through thorax) unless such prior pinning through thorax is clearly stated in listing.  Specimens may be A1 with a prior hole in thorax IF 1. pin removal is necessary for shipping purposes or riker mount placement AND  2. the receiver of the specimen is made aware of the removal.

Note 1:  A specimen with broken antennae/legs from shipping can still be A1 if such broken material can be easily glued.  A missing piece or missing antenna is NOT conducive to A1.

Note 2:  True A1 is not a common condition and should represent 'so-close-to-perfect' status.  It is advised that such a  determination be used with the utmost discretion. 

Nothing wrong with this specimen.  It is 'A1 perfect'.  Note: it was pointed out by a viewer/visitor that the left antenna looks imperfect(and it does look odd).  When it was mounted a few years back, the antenna was aiming at an angle of 45 degrees upward making it look flawed when photographed.  It is, however, complete and intact, but was merely mounted 'carelessly' or with less-than-a-proper appearance.   Thank you Bob for your good/astute observation and for bringing it to my attention.  Had the antenna actually been imperfect, surely this specimen would not remain in the A1 category and would have been removed.