BURCHELL (Willilam John, Explorer & Naturalist, Botanist at St Helena)

Fine Autograph Letter Signed to Laurence SULIVAN 1783-1866, Statesman and Philanthropist, Deputy Secretary at War) saying that he has "much pleasure in sending you the two larvae of Sphinx celeris for Miss Sulivan, who will certainly rear them much better than I; and it would be a pity if they should be lost through my ignorance of the proper management; otherwise I would gladly keep them till they should be fit to put into your cabinet; as I already possess in my own, two individuals of this species, and having by her assistance ascertained what these larva were, the object I should have had in rearing them is already completely attained ...", 2 sides 8vo., 11th October

Burchell was an explorer, naturalist, traveller, artist, and author. His thousands of plant specimens, as well as field journals from his South American expedition, are held by Kew Gardens, and his insect collection by the Oxford University Museum.
With a transcript and additional note that this "refers to Aunt Charlotte's collection which on her death she bequeathed to Eton College. Her executor, my grandfather Templer Down, advised Eton of this but on being told that they had no use for the collection they were accepted - or bought - by the National History Museum.) D.G.G." Provenance: by direct descent from the family.

Item Date:  1839

Stock No:  39399      £575

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