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Aime Bonpland

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:NA Estimated At:4,000.00 - 5,000.00 USD
Aime Bonpland

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Auction Date:2014 Nov 12 @ 18:00 (UTC-05:00 : EST/CDT)
Location:236 Commercial St., Suite 100, Boston, Massachusetts, 02109, United States
ALS - Autograph Letter Signed
ANS - Autograph Note Signed
AQS - Autograph Quotation Signed
AMQS - Autograph Musical Quotation Signed
DS - Document Signed
FDC - First Day Cover
Inscribed - “Personalized”
ISP - Inscribed Signed Photograph
LS - Letter Signed
SP - Signed Photograph
TLS - Typed Letter Signed
Important French explorer and botanist (1773–1858) who emigrated to South America in 1816. ALS in Spanish, signed “Amado Bonpland,” three pages on two adjoining sheets, 8.25 x 10.5, September 16, 1850. Letter to Dr. Charles D. Fredricks. In part (translated): “I have the particular pleasure of sending you, in a well-soldered tin box, the seeds of the famous plant known in Corrientes as Maiz del agua. You can see a picture of this plant, which has been given the name of Victoria Regina in the Penny Magazine of February 1838 and also in the Illustrated London News page 328. I encountered this plant for the first time in Corrientes in 1821. I made a description of it, and I have determined that it should belong to the Nymphea genus. Now the botanists will determine its fate, I mean, whether it is a Nymphea or belongs to another genus.

The Maiz del agua is an aquatic plant and it seems to me that the following precautions are necessary in order to get it to grow perfect vegetation. [I am of] the view that the seeds should be planted in…large boxes…these vessels should be placed in others that are full of water. Next, in order to speed up growth, the vessels should be placed in hotbed frames and brought quite close to the glass, so that they receive light and warmth.

Once the seeds begin to sprout, the vessels should be placed on the bottom of a pond, reservoir, or lake, and two precautions should be taken. The first should consist in fastening the vessels down firmly on the bottom of the water. The second should be to break or remove the vessels at the appropriate time so that the roots can extend.” In very good condition, with intersecting folds with tape-repaired partial separations, a few repaired tears and areas of paper loss (affecting a few words of the letter), and some scattered staining. Bonpland letters are exceedingly scarce, especially with such fine botanical content, and rarely appear on the public market.