I am currently completing a study of the zoological activities of
Ferdinand von Mueller, Government Botanist of Victoria from 1853
until his death in 1896.
Among these activities was an extensive zoological specimen supply
'business'. Major collections are retained in Stuttgart, Paris,
Rostock and Gotha; specimens are known to be at Harvard, Stockholm,
St Petersburg, and one at one time in the Staatlichen Humanistischen
Gymnasiums in Speyer. Evidence from letters shows that specimens went
to Lisbon, Italy (city not specified, although Florence is likely),
Copenhagen and Mexico City.
Evidence of specimens existing now in other museums, or in those
listed above as known from the correspondence would be very welcome.
Details of any correspondence concerning zoological specimens is also
welcome; the Mueller inwards letters concerning zoological specimens
are extremely sparse given the loss or destruction of the majority of
his correspondence after his death. Most of the correspondence with
his field botanical collectors that is known has been found in
letters filed with specimens in his herbarium. There are no
equivalent sources for his zoological collectors, and his zoological
exchanges, being a private venture, are not mentioned in his official
correspondence with his Government ministers and their officials.
Arthur Lucas
--
Prof A M Lucas AO CBE
16 Downham Crescent
Wymondham NR18 0SF
01953 602214
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