Alexander von Humboldt

Details

Paul Sigmund Habelmann (1823-1890), after Emma Gaggiotti-Richards
Alexander von Humboldt
bearing dedicatory inscription by Alexander von Humboldt 'à Achille Valenciennes,/ souvenir d’une longue amitié qui n’a / jamais été troublée, souvenir de / communauté de travaux et de vive / reconnaissance./ A Humboldt à Berlin le 1 Juin 1855.' (lower right)
mixed method engraving
S. 20½ x 16¾ in. (52 x 42.5 cm.)
with a copy of the published correspondence between Humboldt and Valenciennes (Pairs: 1955)

Exhibited

Exhibition label for Alph Giroux & Comp to reverse

Special notice

This lot is offered without reserve.

Lot Essay

Achille Valenciennes (1794-1856) was born in the Museum of Natural History in Paris, and would eventually take up the chair of annelids, mollusks and zoophytes in 1832. He friendship with Humboldt began with his working on the classification of the animals described by Humboldt on his 1799 journey to Latin America. The two formed a close friendship, with over 40 years of correspondence between the two surviving. In 1844 Humboldt would act as Vallenciennes' patron for his entry into the Academy of Sciences.

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