The correspondence of Ferdinand von Mueller: ¶ This cutting from a Melbourne newspaper, respected friend, may interest you and even prompt the use of mirrors elsewhere for showing of flowers, crops, fruit, palms and so on. The best will be to e...

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90.03.28

Preferred Citation:

Ferdinand von Mueller to Ludwig Wittmack, 1890-03-28. 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/90-03-28>, accessed September 11, 2025

Letter not found. The extract given here is from 'Die Anwendung von Spiegeln auf Ausstellungen' [The employment of mirrors in displays], Gartenflora , vol. 39 (1890), p.305 (B90.06.09). The article begins with a translation of the clipping sent by M, a report in the Sun (Melbourne), 28 March 1890, p. 3, that describes the use of mirrors in fruit and flower displays and attributes this innovation to M: 'It was an original idea of his, and an altogether new feature at such exhibitions. ... Their enhancing and charming effects would certainly add much to the attractions of these displays, and doubtless his excellent suggestion will meet with favor from all those who love the exhilarating impressions of space and perspective thus produced.' The extract from M's letter is introduced by 'Herr von Müller schreibt uns dazu:' [Mr von Müller writes to us about it:]. The letter is dated to 28 March 1890 as the earliest date that M could have sent it and included the text from the Melbourne newspaper.

Dieser Ausschnitt aus einer Melbourner Zeitung, geehrter Freund, mag Sie interessieren und auch die Anwendung von Spiegeln anderswo anregen für Ausstellungen von Blumen, Früchten, Obst, Palmen u. s. w. Das Beste wird sein, die Rahmen mit Guirlanden zu verhüllen. Eine Fülle von Spiegeln, die ja von den Ausstellern gebracht werden können je nach eigenen Erfordernissen, würde die "Exhibitions" doppelt gross erscheinen lassen.

The article concluded by reporting that M's wish had already come true, with mirrors being employed in the Orchid sections of the great exhibition in Ghent in 1888 and in Berlin.

See also M to W. Thiselton-Dyer, 27 March 1890, M to W. Thiselton-Dyer, 25 August 1890 (in this edition as 90-08-25a), M to E. Goeze, April 1890 (in this edition as 90-04-00a) and M to the Royal Horticultural Society of Victoria, October 1890 (in this edition as 90-10-00i).

This cutting from a Melbourne newspaper, respected friend, may interest you and even prompt the use of mirrors elsewhere for showing of flowers, crops, fruit, palms and so on. The best will be to envelop the edges with garlands. An abundance of mirrors, which surely can be used by the exhibitors, each according to his own requirements, would make the ‘exhibitions’ appear double-sized.