Dated 7 December 1830.

William John Burchell (23 July 1781 – 23 March 1863) was an English explorer, naturalist, traveller, artist, and author. Famous for his two-volume set of Travels in the Interior of Southern Africa (Vol. 1, 1822 and Vol. 2, 1824).

The letter is addressed to Mrs. Gray; I presume this to be the wife of Christopher Gray, who was a nurseryman in Middlesex, England, who owned a nursery where Burchell eventually became the successor. Burchell took over Gray's business after his death. 

Burchell was born in Fulham, London, the son of Matthew Burchell, botanist and owner of Fulham Nursery, and his wife. His father owned nine and a half acres of land adjacent to the gardens of Fulham Palace. Burchell served a botanical apprenticeship at Kew and was elected F.L.S. (Fellow of the Linnean Society) in 1803.

Letter has been cut on left-hand side, small tear on left-hand side, water stain on top left corner, slight mark on top right corner.

181 x 109mm

R6,500