148. Wallace, Alfred. Autograph letter signed (“Alfred R. Wallace”), 1.5 pages (4.5 x 7 in.; 114 x 178 mm.), front and back, on “Old Orchard, Broadstone, Wimborne” stationery, 6 December 1908, written to “My Dear Dresser”, ornithologist and author Herbert E. Dresser. Toning on page 2 from previous mounting.

British naturalist Alfred Russel writes to the author of Birds of Europe to obtain a rough estimate of bird life for his research.

Wallace writes in full:
My Dear Dresser Please give me the figures more nearly what you estimate them at, but in the larger areas some allowance may be made for new sp[ecies] to be found. As I only want a general view of the amount of Bird Life, a rough estimate will do. I hardly think however that the difference between new & old estimates of species will be so very great, as there are so many genera with one or two species only about which there is no doubt. Anyhow all sub-species & varieties can be ignored.
Yours very truly Alfred R. Wallace

Alfred Russel Wallace is best known for independently conceiving the theory of evolution through natural selection. Wallace’s paper on the subject was jointly published with some of Charles Darwin’s writings in 1858, which prompted Darwin to publish his own ideas in On the Origin of Species. Wallace was considered to be the leading expert in the 19th century on geographical distribution of animal species. His interest in natural history resulted in his being one of the first prominent scientists to raise concerns over the environmental impact of human activity. $800 - $1,200

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