Lot 61
On a botanical theme and with an important mention of New S(outh) Wales.
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Provenance:
- Historical Exhibited:
- Collectibles Literature:
- 312 Medium:
- Autographs Notes:
- This signed letter is in the hand of the famed botanist Sir Joseph Banks and was sent from his residence at Soho Square on December 15 1802. Banks was considered by his contemporaries as the expert on New South Wales, and so the mention of the colony in the letter is of especial interest. He had been the major campaigner for the establishment of a penal colony in Australia as a way to populate the vast continent that was discovered on his voyage with Captain Cook in 1770. His role on the Cook voyage was as a naturalist and botanist and he returned to England with thousands of exotic specimens from the new land which he kept in specially constructed collector cabinets at his residence in London at Soho Square. He continued to have a lifelong interest in the Colony's development and corresponded with many of the prominent early settlers such as John Macarthur and was a patron and confidant of governors and explorers the likes of Philip King, William Bligh and Matthew Flinders. On his death his estate contained thousands of pieces of return correspondence carefully filed which have made their way into the collections of the British Library and Sydney's Mitchell Library. The letters provide an invaluable insight into the early days of the Colony he helped found. Signed letters sent by Banks are much rarer as they were usually discarded by the recipients and this letter in Bank's hand which connects the subjects of botany and the Colony of New South Wales, his two major interests, ranks as an important piece of early Australiana. The letter reads :Soho Square / Dec 14 1802 / My Dear Madam / To your last proposal no possible objection can be made(.) I should be most ready to produce a Strelitzia when ever it may be thought right to send it in the present season(.) However I appreciate no one would think of sending a plant preserved in a hot house to run the risque (risk) of a frost(.) I have just now received an importation of seeds from New S(outh) Wales and a parcel of them I can in a few days prepare if you think that they could satisfy the sweet ladies hopes in the present and allow for anxiety for the living plant till it is a proper season for sending it(.) I think I have a right to tell you that Mr Otto was very desirous of conveying over a Strelitzia but that I begged to be excused(,) as I would not suffer anyone to interfere in our partnership concerns and you do me the honor to take it(.) The plant therefore which is a fine one is in its place unmoved(.) I have the honor to be with most perfect esteem and regard your faithful able servant(.) / J Banks / Sir J. Banks / Dec 15th / 1802.
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