Charles-Lucien Bonaparte (1803-1857), ornithologist.... - Lot 12 - Conan Belleville Hôtel d'Ainay

Charles-Lucien Bonaparte (1803-1857), ornithologist. L.A.S. to zoologist Henri Milne-Edwards (1800-1885). Leiden, 4 July 1850. 2 pp. in-4. Address on the spine with postmarks and wax stamp. Nice letter on the publication of his work on bird sight, Conspectus Generum Avium (Leiden, 1850) and his candidature to the Museum to succeed Blainville to the chair of comparative anatomy. He greatly regretted not having been able to see Milne-Edwards at Müller's in Leiden. "I have always wanted to apologize for this, but I was waiting to thank you at the same time for the presentation of my Conspectus Avium. Since you have delayed it only in my interest and in order to be able to speak better about the book, I thank you doubly, and I ask you to draw the attention of our colleagues to a few monographs such as those on the Picks, Thrushes, Strix, Merops, etc., which I have already published. I wrote to Mr. Duméril [the zoologist Constant Duméril (1774-1860)] and sent him two copies of my painting of reptiles, one for him, one for the academy. You would oblige me by verifying if he received them Mr Valenciennes [the zoologist Achille Valenciennes (1794-1865)] at least discharged in the time of my commission for that of the fishes. You are going to appoint a successor to replace Blainville, zoology section. I am assured that being born in Paris, French, and a correspondent, nothing stands in the way of my candidacy. I know that your voice is promised, those of your colleagues are probably also promised, but finally you will oblige me by showing them this letter (at least to Isid. G. St. H. [Isidore Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire]) or by telling them the contents, and assuring them that if I am elected, I will come immediately to settle in Paris with my family to share their work [] ". It is finally Louis Duvernoy who will succeed Blainville to the chair of comparative anatomy.