British historian and archaeologist (1817-1894) best known as the excavator of Nimrud and Nineveh, where he uncovered a large proportion of the Assyrian palace reliefs. ALS signed “A. H. Layard,” four pages on two adjoining sheets, 5.25 x 8.5, March 1, 1850. Handwritten letter from Nimrud about collecting botanical specimens in the Middle East. In part: "It will give me great pleasure to obtain the cuttings which you require, if I have an opportunity of reaching the Euphrates. It is difficult, however, to reach that ruin from Mosul….I can, of course, obtain cuttings from the poplars of the country round Mosul…During my journey here I was much struck by the variety of oaks in the Kurdish Mountains…The very large size of some of the leaves of these oaks is remarkable." In fine condition, with light creasing and edgewear, and a rusty circular paperclip impression to the top.
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