[NATURAL HISTORY]. WALLACE, Alfred Russel (1823-1913). Autograph letter signed ("Alfred R. Wallace") to Dr. Francis Henry Hill Guillemard, Parkstone, Dorset, 20 November 1891.

1p., 12mo, old folds, cellotape repair to crease verso, remnants of mounting on verso. WALLACE DISCUSSES AUSTRALASIA WITH CO-AUTHOR. "I will send you the Insular portion of 2 copies of Australasia which Stanford has sent me to serve as copy for the new edition." Australasia was first published in 1879 as a commissioned volume for Edward Stanford's "Compendium of Geography and Travel." In 1893, the work was expanded into two volumes, the second volume being authored by the geographer and travel writer Guillemard (1852-1955).

[With:] WALLACE and GUILLEMARD. Australasia. London: Edward Stanford, 1893-94. 2 volumes, 8vo. Wood-engraved frontispieces, numerous folding maps. Original blue-green cloth pictorially stamped in gilt, covers and spines lettered in black and gilt (spotting to text-block of vol. II). New edition, as mentioned in the above letter.

[With:] WALLACE. Australasia. London: Edward Stanford, 1879. 8vo. Numerous plates and folding maps. Original green cloth gilt (extremities rubbed, hinges reinforced). Provenance: Spencer Hall (gift inscription dated 8 June; "wishing him a safe & prosperous journey to have home again from the Colony of Australia"); Arthur W. Ashton (bookplate and signature). FIRST EDITION.

Property from the Estate of Peter Fortsas