ALS signed “C. Darwin,” one page, 5 x 8, Down letterhead, May 25, no year but likely 1863. Letter to an unnamed gentleman, believed to be William Henry Flower, curator of the Hunterian Museum, who had apparently arranged to obtain photographs of the skull of a Niata ox given to the museum by Darwin. In part: “As a cheque will probably be less troublesome than a P. Order, I enclose one with my many thanks for the Photographs. M. Quatresages has received them and is much pleased and surprised at the appearance of the Skull.” In fine condition, with a small marginal stain.
Jean Louis Armand de Quatresages, a French physician, naturalist, ethnologist, and opponent of Darwinism, undertook extensive zoological research, though his work was largely anthropological. Despite Quatrefages’ rejection of evolutionary theories, he appears to have had a strong personal respect for Darwin and supported Darwin’s election at the French Institut. Pre-certified PSA/DNA.
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