[1]1
Frith Hill, Godalming.
April 20th. 1886
Dear Sir
Many thanks for the information about Marcgravia2. What I want is a drawing — say a copy of Fitch’s3 plate — with the flowers expanded, and with one or two birds at the nectal entry and in the act of fertilisation.
The birds mentioned by Beth are 3 species of Tanagers & several Humming-birds. I suppose you have not the Zoology volumes of the "Biologia Cent[rali]. Am[ericana]. at Kew from which the birds might be invented, but Miss Smith4 could see them at the Library of the Zool[ogical]. Society or I could borrow the one required [2] and send it to Kew. I should not want it coloured as it would have to be photographed on glass, & then coloured from the description to make a lantern slide.
Will you kindly ascertain whether Miss Smith could undertake this, & what would be her charge for it.
The drawing might be made either in chalk or in neutral tint or indian-ink, the latter preferable for photographing from, & might be boldly executed in outline with just shade enough to [3] give roundness & effect, leaving all the parts which are brightly coloured unshaded to receive the colour in the photograph.
If I hear that Miss Smith can undertake it under your kind direction, & that the cost will not be more I can afford for the purpose, & will get the necessary bird-material when I go next to town wh[ich]. will be probably in about 10 days or a fortnight.
Believe me | Yours faithfully | Alfred R. Wallace [signature]
W. B. Hemsley Esq.
When in town I could bring the book to Kew & explain what I require.5
Status: Draft transcription [Letter (WCP1438.3846)]
For more information about the transcriptions and metadata, see https://wallaceletters.myspecies.info/content/epsilon
[1]1
To W.B. Hemsley2, Esq.) Frith Hill, Godalming.
April 20th. 1886.
Dear Sir
Many thanks for the information about Marcgravia. What I want is a drawing — say a copy of Fitch's3 plate — with the flowers expanded, and with one or two birds at the nectar-cups and in the act of fertilisation. The birds mentioned by Belt4 are 3 species of Tanagers & several Humming-birds5. I suppose you have not the Zoology volumes of the "Biologia Cent[rali-]Am[ericana]"6 at Kew from which t the birds might be inserted, but Miss Smith could see them at the library of the Zool. Society or I could borrow the one required and send it to Kew. I should not want it coloured as it would have to be photographed on glass, & then coloured from the description, to make a lantern-slide.
Will you kindly ascertain whether Miss Smith could undertake this, & what would be her charge for it.
The drawing might be made either in chalk or in neutral tint or indian ink, the latter preferable for photographing from, & might be boldly executed in outline with just shade enough to give roundness & effect, leaving all the parts which are brightly coloured unshaded to receive the colour in the photograph.
If I hear that Miss Smith can undertake it under your kind direction, & that the cost will not be more (than) I can afford for the purpose, I will get the necessary bird-material when I go next to town wh[ich]. will be probably in about 10 days or a fortnight.
When in town I could bring the book to Kew & explain what I require.
Believe me | Yours faithfully | Alfred R. Wallace. [signature]
Status: Draft transcription [Transcription (WCP1438.4241)]
For more information about the transcriptions and metadata, see https://wallaceletters.myspecies.info/content/epsilon
[1]1
To W.B. Hemsley2, Esq.) Frith Hill, Godalming.
April 20th. 1886.
Dear Sir
Many thanks for the information about Marcgravia. What I want is a drawing — say a copy of Fitch's3 plate — with the flowers expanded, and with one or two birds at the nectar-cups and in the act of fertilisation. The birds mentioned by Belt4 are 3 species of Tanagers & several Humming-birds5. I suppose you have not the Zoology volumes of the "Biologia Cent[rali-]Am[ericana]"6 at Kew from which t the birds might be inserted, but Miss Smith could see them at the library of the Zool. Society or I could borrow the one required and send it to Kew. I should not want it coloured as it would have to be photographed on glass, & then coloured from the description, to make a lantern-slide.
Will you kindly ascertain whether Miss Smith could undertake this, & what would be her charge for it.
The drawing might be made either in chalk or in neutral tint or indian ink, the latter preferable for photographing from, & might be boldly executed in outline with just shade enough to give roundness & effect, leaving all the parts which are brightly coloured unshaded to receive the colour in the photograph.
If I hear that Miss Smith can undertake it under your kind direction, & that the cost will not be more (than) I can afford for the purpose, I will get the necessary bird-material when I go next to town wh[ich]. will be probably in about 10 days or a fortnight.
When in town I could bring the book to Kew & explain what I require.
Believe me | Yours faithfully | Alfred R. Wallace. [signature]
Status: Draft transcription [Transcription (cc) (WCP1438.1217)]
For more information about the transcriptions and metadata, see https://wallaceletters.myspecies.info/content/epsilon
Please cite as “WCP1438,” in Beccaloni, G. W. (ed.), Ɛpsilon: The Alfred Russel Wallace Collection accessed on 29 April 2024, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/wallace/letters/WCP1438