Details
DU CHAILLU, Paul Belloni (1831-1903). Autograph letter signed to Dr Henry Bence-Jones, Fernand-Vaz River [Gabon], 20 August 1864, four pages, 8vo (short splits at folds); with a further three autograph letters signed to various recipients, 1866-1890, 6 pages, 8vo (some yellowing and light wear).
Du Chaillu announces his departure for the interior [on his second African expedition], to 'make there large collections of Natural History', reporting success in his attempts at photography, and the dispatch of a live gorilla together with a number of skeletons and skins to the British Museum, and expressing his amusement at reading a spurious published description of gorillas: 'I do not wish to answer him for I think I have sent the best reply I could afford. I am perfectly tired of this Gorilla business and I intend to have nothing to do with the beast in future'. Of the remaining letters, one of 1876 regrets the scattering of his gorilla collection: 'the largest Gorillas are now in the British Museum in London'. (4)
Du Chaillu announces his departure for the interior [on his second African expedition], to 'make there large collections of Natural History', reporting success in his attempts at photography, and the dispatch of a live gorilla together with a number of skeletons and skins to the British Museum, and expressing his amusement at reading a spurious published description of gorillas: 'I do not wish to answer him for I think I have sent the best reply I could afford. I am perfectly tired of this Gorilla business and I intend to have nothing to do with the beast in future'. Of the remaining letters, one of 1876 regrets the scattering of his gorilla collection: 'the largest Gorillas are now in the British Museum in London'. (4)
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