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Physical location:
Item 51, Correspondence, Melbourne International Exhibition, 1881, VPRS 4363, Public Record Office, Victoria. 81.05.04aPreferred Citation:
Ferdinand von Mueller to Charles Bright, 1881-05-04 [81.05.04a]. 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/1880-9/1881/81-05-04a-final.odt>, accessed June 13, 2026
4/5/81.
This afternoon, dear Mr. Bright, I happened to meet the Chief Secretary in the Exhibition
and took the hon. Gentleman to the Statues in the Italian Court, pointing out that
Italy alone had an extensive display of Marble statues and that this was a rare opportunity
of acquiring some for the national Gallery. Mr. Berry requested me to procure a list
of prices (to which I shall be able through the Consulate to add photograms) to be
submitted to him.
Under these circumstances it might perhaps be advisable, not to follow up the matter
on your & your colleagues part, just this moment.
1
The price list was published in 'Italian works of Art',
Age
(Melbourne), 11 May 1881, p. 3. The article concluded
:
'Mr. Berry has resolved to provide a sum of £2000 to purchase such works from the
above collection as may be deemed best'
.
2
See M's earlier letter to Bright on this subject (M to C. Bright, 2 May 1881 (in this
edition as 81-05-02a)).
Regardfully your
Ferd. von Mueller