Ferdinand von Mueller

Melbourne

16/2/82.

To the honorable Dr L. L. Smith, M.P.

&c&c

In reply to your question, dear Dr Smith, I beg to observe, that the Sonderian Collection of dried plants contains specimens from all parts of the globe, including even numerous species from the least accessible parts of tropical South America, India and other hot regions of the globe.

1

See also M to L. Smith, 6 February 1882, and M to T. Wilson, 26 December 1881, in which M seeks an interview with the Chief Secretary to urge on him the desirability of acquiring Sonder's collection.

Indeed it is one of the very richest ever formed by a private Gentleman, and its historic value consists in the exceedingly large number of autographic specimens connected with published works. this authentic material reaching back to the earlier part of this century, when Dr Sonder commenced his interchanges with aged botanists. Numerically the collection comprises very many thousand of species , and each of them is represented by a series of specimens indicative of the geographic range and forms of varieties, thus the whole forms a huge mass of specimens, and would constitute a magnificent supplement to what I have gathered myself since 42 years.

Among the gems of the collection is the unique set of Algae (Seaweeds), on which sorts of plants Dr Sonder was one of the three greatest workers of this age. Indeed as a whole the collection is so valuable, that any other colony even near us would gladly secure it for their botanic Museums, such authenticated collections being of incalculable value for all times for reference. As instances, how much collections of great bot. authors are sought, I may remark, that some years ago Dr Meissners collection (then at Basel and offered to me by himself in first instance) was purchased for £2000 by an American Merchant and presented to the City of New York.

2

No record has been found of M's being offered Meisner's herbarium. It was purchased by John J. Crooke and presented to Columbia University, New York, and is now at the New York Botanical Garden (see TL2).

When the great Lindley was on his last sickbed, he also was anxious, that I should secure his highly important collections for Victoria,

3

See J. Lindley to M, 29 August 1865.

after Sir Joseph Hooker had secured the Orchids (dried specimens) for which alone he paid five hundred £ ! The collection was subsequently bought for a London Institution.

4

Most of Lindley's herbarium went to the University of Cambridge.

Therefore no difficulty exists of disposing of the Sonderian collections, which the British Museum is eager to get, but which Mrs Dr Sonder in accordance with the wish of her late husband prefers seeing pass into my hands. If you deemed it desirable, the Sonderian collection could be put into the Exhibition-building, and I could go occasionally to see to its proper keeping, for which one youth would suffice; hence but very little annual expense incurred for maintenance.

I would however like during the probably only few years of my remaining life, to keep my own collection as a distinct department, as its removal to the Exhibition-Building could not possibly promote my work, and would take away that quietude, which I enjoyed at the bot. Garden for study and so far enjoy still. My collection is as accessible to the public , where it is now, as the Observatory is to visitors, but of course like the astronomic instruments, so my bot. collections, are only of real value to men of science or for professional and literary purposes. So is it with the large Herbarium of the Royal bot Garden of Kew.

In answer to your question about the form of the collection, I may observe, that Dr Sonder kept them as usual in parcels, covered by pasteboards. There are many hundreds of such parcels. They may either be kept in metal-cases or put on shelves covered by doors. The price would not exceed £900 , delivered here , as the tin-lined packing cases, freight, insurance and agency expenses would not exceed £100 , and perhaps be less. The transit and the payment would of course be effected through the Agent General in London.

Allow me to add, that I feel persuaded of not a single member of the Legislative assembly objecting to the acquisition of such unique treasures of permanent value by the Colony Victoria, if the honorable members of the Ministry would place the sum of £900 (as a not recurring item) among the miscellanea kindly on the estimates.

5

MS annotation by the Premier, B. O'Loghlen, on 20 February 1882: 'The Government have decided to place on the Estimates a sum sufficient to make the purchase say not exceeding £900'. The Under Secretary, T. Wilson, forwarded the news to M who minuted a reply on 22 February: 'While thanking the Government for this act of enlightened generosity, I beg to inform the hon. the Chief Secretary, that I have written to Mrs Dr Sonder by the Liguria [letter not found], apprizing her, that it is the intention of the Government to place £900 on the estimates for the purchase, packing, freight and insurance of these collections, and requesting her to hold them ready for shipment through the Agent General of Victoria in London by the time, when she will learn, that the money has actually been voted'.