Baron von Mueller's Letter of Gratitude for Fossils

Baron Sir Ferdinand von Mueller [1825 - 1896], 1877 (September 1) autographed letter sheet written in ink to the Undersecretary of the Mining Departments, Sydney, in which von Mueller expresses his gratitude for 'a series of vegetable fossils' that had been sent to him. Signed 'Ferd von Mueller, M.D., From 1857 to 1873, von Mueller was director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne, and not only introduced many plants into Victoria, but also made the excellent qualities of the blue gum (Eucalyptus globulus) known all over the world, and succeeded in introducing it into the south of Europe, North and South Africa, California, and the extratropical portions of South America. Mueller was decorated by many foreign countries, including Germany, France, Spain, Denmark, and Portugal. He was appointed a fellow of the Royal Society in 1861, and knighted as Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George in 1879. Mueller died in Melbourne and is buried in the small Jewish section of St Kilda Cemetery.