The correspondence of Ferdinand von Mueller: Melbourne Botanical Gardens, ¶ 25th Sept., 1869. ¶ I feel very glad, dear Mr Bindon, to obtain the delicate flower photograms which you have just sent me, and will forward them to the photological sec...

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69.09.25

Preferred Citation:

Ferdinand von Mueller to Samuel Bindon, 1869-09-25. R.W. Home, Thomas A. Darragh, A.M. Lucas, Sara Maroske, D.M. Sinkora, J.H. Voigt and Monika Wells (eds), Correspondence of Ferdinand von Mueller, <https://vmcp.rbg.vic.gov.au/id//letters/1860-9/1869/69-09-25-final.odt>, accessed June 13, 2026

Letter not found. The text given here is from the Gippsland times, 5 October 1869, p. 2 (B69.09.03). It is introduced by

Some time ago we noticed some excellent photographs of Gippsland flowers executed and tinted by Mr A. Bock for His Honor Judge Bindon. The latter named gentleman forwarded some of these specimens of art to Dr Mueller, the Government Botanist, and the doctor has made the following reply:—.

Melbourne Botanical Gardens,

25th Sept., 1869.

I feel very glad, dear Mr Bindon, to obtain the delicate flower photograms which you have just sent me, and will forward them to the photological section of the industrial museum now under process of formation in the Exhibition building.

Museum Victoria, the successor institution to the Industrial Museum, does not have a collection of Alfred Bock’s wildflower photographs. Bock's 'Wildflowers of Gippsland', a series of albumen silver photographs with hand colouring, was issued commercially. Two different albums of these photographs are held by the State Library of Victoria but neither is linked to M, the first having been purchased from the book dealer Robertson in 1870, the other having been presented by one of Bock’s descendants in 2008. The presentation album has been digitized: http://handle.slv.vic.gov.au/10381/401117 .

These little pictures are among the best I have ever seen, and do great credit to your local artist. It may be always well, as you have already surmised, that the photographer should lay aside small branches of the plants for serving to ascertain their names, two may be so similar in external appearance, that without magnified analysual figures of internal structure, the specified name could not be safely fixed. Mere photographs, however faithful and beautiful they are, admit as little of the insight into the internal parts of the flowers, seeds, &c., as the representation by nature printing. Trusting that in the bracing clime of Gippsland you feel much enjoyment, I remain your regardful, Ferdinand Mueller . I need not say that I will be happy to name any of these art productions at any time.