Darwin Correspondence Project

 

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Letter 1343A

Darwin, C. R. to Downie, Mr

14 July [1850]

    Summary Add

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    An enquiry about the availability, size, and cost of cork-lined boxes for entomological collections.

Transcription

Down | Farnborough | Kent

July 14th

Sir

I wrote a note to you about a week since, asking whether you supplied Entomological Store Boxes, (of shape of back-gammon Board) lined on both sides with good cork & papered.

I wish for one (or probably more) of large size, but I must know prices & dimensions.— Please to answer this note. My former one was addressed to Mr Burch; but I see on Labels of articles purchased at your place, two names, so I may have addressed my former note wrongly.

Sir | Your obed | Charles Darwin

I have one Box 16 x 1214 & 4 inches deep; but I think rather larger would be better. The outside to be plain deal.— No lock & key.

    Footnotes Add

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    f1 1343a.f1
    The recipient is identified on the basis of an entry in CD's Address book (Down House MS) recording the address of a Mr Downie, `Entom. Box Maker'. It has not been possible to identify Downie any further.
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    f2 1343a.f2
    The year is inferred from an entry in CD's Account book (Down House MS), dated 20 August 1850, that reads: `Entomological Box for Willy. Downie'. William Erasmus Darwin, CD's eldest son, exhibited a `passion for collecting Lepidoptera' in 1850. See Correspondence vol. 4, letter to W. D. Fox, 4 September [1850].
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