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Auction: 19022 - Historical Documents, Postal History and Autographs
Lot: 2084

Autographs
Richard Owen
1841 (24 September), ALS in which Owen discusses his fruitful findings from a visit to Helston Harbour in Cornwall and begins to make preparations for the handling of John Hunter's collection of fossils. Owen is rather disparaging of Hunter's cataloguing of the collection, noting that: "the nature of which seems not, however, to have been recognised by John Hunter: the Megalosauras is clasified as 'Mammalia'; ... and some beautiful examples of the Sheppey Boa Constrictor are labelled 'Allegator'." Compliements are given to Mrs. Charles "your estimable lady" and "your amiable daughter", with remembrances to "Mr. and Mrs. Owen Hustler, if still with you". An intriguing letter with great significance. Photo


John Hunter (1728 - 1793), Scottish surgeon and scientist. In 1799 the government purchased his collection which would form the basis of the Hunterian Musuem, named in his honour.

Also see lots 2095-2096

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