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xx, 482 pp. Introduction by Bayard Taylor. With an engraved frontispiece portrait with facsimile autograph. Includes a one-page, 27-line, autograph letter signed by Alexander Von Humboldt (1769-1859) written in Potsdam, Germany (in German text) to his friend Edward Shepard in London, dated May 22, 1851, laid in with original postage envelope and steel-engraved portrait. Letter measures 8¼x5½ on a folded sheet. Book: 7x5, original dark brown cloth, spine lettered in gilt, brown endpapers. First Edition.

Alexander Von Humboldt (1769-1859) the noted German naturalist and explorer whose quantitative work on botanical geography was foundational to the field of biogeography. Humboldt County, in California, Nevada and Iowa are all named after him. Autograph letter translated on print out and reads: “I deeply regret, dear sir, that through my fault you remained uncertain for so long about the 2 copies of your witty sketch about the life of Doctor Francien (spelling?). I placed one of the good copies in the King’s hand…Since I am totally unfamiliar with the His Majesty’s library and correspondence, I am unable to inform you if there has been a reply from the Cabinet, since the directors of the Cabinet are in Warsaw. In spite of the demands occasioned by a very busy and hardly sedentary life at the age of 81, I am hastening to express to you my acknowledgment of your gracious gesture in telling me about a work which ought to interest me, just as the misfortunes of my intimate friend and traveling companion inspired me to begin corresponding with a tyrant with quite a strange physiognomy…The portrayal of the characters, the impressionistic presentation of your comber scene, the dramatic end of Rodrigue (Chap. 17), Francis’s momentary turn toward more humane emotions, have deeply interested me. I beg you to accept…this expression of the high esteem in which I hold the honor of being your [friend]… Alexander…Humboldt [middle initial illegible].”