Description:

Asa Gray ALS, Harvard Botanist & Friend of Charles Darwin

Letter from Asa Gray to a Miss P. regarding stereotype plates in the care of fellow botanist Alvan Wentworth Chapman. ALS, 2pp on bifolium, measuring 4.5" x 5.6125", Botanic Garden, Cambridge, MA, dated December 24, 1874. Expected paper folds and toning present, otherwise fine condition. Boldly signed in bottom right corner on second page and accompanied by COA from Shafran Collectibles.

In part:
"Then it is clear that Wiman [?] & Co. have sold off all the copies they had. After the war Dr Chapman took the stereotype plates South- and has become cantankerous and will not reply to my letters. Your only way is to write to Dr. A W Chapman Apalachicola Florida…"

Asa Gray (1810-1888) was an American botanist and Harvard professor whose theories of genetic evolution aligned similarly with that of Charles Darwin, believing that a genetic connection existed between all species. He published his findings under the phenomenon coined the "Asa Gray disjunction", which meant to show the structural and biological similarities of plants in Eastern North America to those in Eastern Asia. Gray and Darwin began a lifetime correspondence starting in 1855, and would consider each other close friends and advocates, although Gray was known to try and impose his theological ideas of creation onto Darwin.

Alvan Wentworth Chapman (1809-1899) was an American botanist from the Southeast and colleague of Gray's, consulting with him at Harvard in 1859 on his manuscript of Flora of the Southern States. The two were cut off from communication during the Civil War, possibly creating the divide between them that Gray hints at in his letter.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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