Lot 200
Important Linneaus ALS With Significant Botanic Interest (1707-1778) Swedish botanist. Originator of the systematic classification of plants and animals. The binomial Latin phrases are the essentials of the system named "Linnaean" in his honor. Autograph letter signed ("Car. v. Linne"), 1½pp, 8 x 6¼", Uppsala, January 26, 1770. To Johann Beckmann (1739-1811), Professor of Economics at Gõttingen and author of "Beiträge zur Geschichte der Erlindungen". In Latin with translation. Integral address leaf with armorial wax seal attached. Expert seal tear repair.
In part: "…Please give my sincere thanks to Dr. Weiss for his most beautifu opus….Would that he would produce, while I am still alive, the complete work which illustrates so well this very obscure family [of plants]. Please ask the fine man to tell whether or not he is now investigating the twice blooming water flowers and whether this phenomenon results from the decayed particles of the plants….Dr. Weiss very frequently mentions Necker's Floram Gallico Belgicam which I have not heard of…which I greatly desire….You, yourself, likewise make mention of the Phylum [?] of Martyn and the Rock-Lichen of Gruelin…I had not seen or heard of the titles of these books before you wrote me….De Avibus ["About Birds"] is there anyone other than Buffon? You make me aware of one thing--and that is what a remote corner of the world I cling to. At the first opportunity…I shall classify for you, in a letter or a treatise, the Testaceans [Shell fish]. I also see that Hales…History of the Hellebore Plants has been issued in three volumes in folio….I have now seen the development of the Cicadas, a very remarkable work from whch I have learned a great deal."
Necker, Martyn, Buffon, and Hales were all important scientists and contemporaries of Linneaus. This is apparently one of only two surviving letters of Linneaus to Beckmann.
Estimated Value $7,500 - 10,000.
|
| |
| Unsold |
