22/12/80.
Henry Sheffield Esqr.,
Librarian to the public Library.
Sir.
As honorary Agent of the great publishing firms of Rothschild in Paris and Fischer in Cassel at the international Exhibition in Melbourne I beg to draw the attention of the trustees of the public Library to the important series of scientific works of these publishers, which now could be secured for the great public Library of Melbourne. Both these firms are distinguished by the patronage, which they afford to scientific authors in the issue of costly illustrated works of leading importance irrespective of calculations as to profit, both Mr. Rothschild and Herr Fischer being among the very few publishers, who bring works of sterling scientific merits before the world merely "honoris causa", not for the sake of gain and even in many cases with the prospect of heavy loss.
At the commencement of the international exhibition I felt it incumbent on me, to draw at once the attention of the late lamented President of the Library-trustees to these precious publications of Rothschild's and Fischer's firms; and Sir Redmond Barry with his usual urbanity wrote me in favorable terms, that he would bring my recommendation before his cotrustees.
Possibly through his sudden demise my application (to him) for securing these literary treasures may require formal renewal, which herewith I beg to do in writing to you. I have examined the volumes; they are select copies, elegantly bound; and as an independent worker in several branches of science I may perhaps also claim to be a judge of the great intrinsic value of these works.
I believe that hardly any of these books exist in our noble public Library, and it would therefore be a pity to allow them to go out of the colony.
Mons Rothschild in writing to me offers most generously the whole series of his exhibits for fifty £,1 the invoice price (as per letter sent by me to the French Commission) being nearly ninety £ (irrespective of cost of transit).2 The German Commission has just been requested by me to supply a pricelist of Fischer's series.3
Regardfully your
Ferd. von Mueller.
J. Rothschild to M, 26 May 1880 (in this edition as 80-05-26a).
Letter not found. The Library agreed to buy Rothschild's books; the file includes a letter from the French Commission at the International Exhibition to Robert Curtis, Secretary to the Trustees of the Melbourne Public Library, saying that the books were ready to be collected.
Letter not found. Fischer's books were at first rejected as too expensive, but were later bought when the asking price was reduced; see M to M. Irving, 22 February 1881 (in this edition as 81-02-22a), and M to R. Curtis, 21 June 1881 (in this edition as 81-06-21a) and notes thereto.
Please cite as “FVM-80-12-22,” in Correspondence of Ferdinand von Mueller, edited by R.W. Home, Thomas A. Darragh, A.M. Lucas, Sara Maroske, D.M. Sinkora†, J.H. Voigt† and Monika Wells accessed on