75 - Haeckel, Ernst

Haeckel, Ernst Collection of 76 autograph letters, billets and postcards to daughter Elisabeth, son-in-law Hans Meyer, granddaughter Else and others and 3 autographs, 3 watercolors by Haeckel, as well as 26 letters to him. 1871-1918. Jena, Leipzig and others, 1868-1915. 4°-16°, ca. 170 pp. Partly in original envelopes (these often stamped and franked), groups I.1-2 and II.1-2 loose in 3 newer, labeled envelopes, group I.3. in OKart. labeled by Elisabeth Meyer. (item II.1). Unique collection of autographs and watercolors by the important German zoologist, philosopher, draughtsman and university lecturer in Jena, Ernst Haeckel (1834-1919), as well as letters to him. - The collection bears eloquent witness to Ernst Haeckel's private life and also provides an additional insight into his soul, his private, mostly self-centered thoughts and actions, which has been largely unknown to researchers until now. - Contains: I. 79 autographs by Ernst Haeckel. - I.1. 47 letters and 3 letters or postcards to daughter Elisabeth Haeckel (1871-1946) and/or son-in-law Hans Meyer (1858-1929), important African researcher and publisher (Bibliographisches Institut). - I.2. 22 letters and 4 billets or postcards to favorite granddaughter "Actissa", i.e. Else Meyer (1894-1976), with list of transcriptions available on request. - I.3. 3 further autographs: Letter to his parents Carl (1781-1871) and Charlotte (1799-1889) dated 1871, bequest dated 28.6.1918 and wedding toast for Elisabeth and Hans dated Sept. 1891. - II. 26 letters to Ernst Haeckel. - II.1 25 letters from Elisabeth Haeckel and/or Hans Meyer and others to Ernst and/or Agnes Haeckel (née Huschke, 1842-1915). - II.2 Letter from Agnes Haeckel to Ernst Haeckel. - Some of the letters reinforced with tape in the horizontal centerfold. - III. 3 Watercolors by Ernst Haeckel. - III.1 Pelmo (Monte Pelmo, South Tyrol). 1883. pencil, pen and ink and watercolor on heavy paper. 34.7 x 23.7 cm. Fully mounted on backing board with double gold framing, inscribed "Aquarellskizze" in the print on the left and "Ernst Haeckel, Jena" on the right. Signed, inscribed and dated (somewhat widened and with traces of creasing, the card damaged in the lower margin) in the center of the backing card and in the center right of the image. - III. 2 Lydica. Sardes (Tutücken tents in front of a mountain backdrop near Sardes, Anatolia). 1887. pencil, pen and ink and watercolor on heavy paper. 34.4 x 23.3 cm. Mounted in spots on thin card. Signed, inscribed and dated lower left (slightly brownstained in places). - III.3 Lobdeburg near Jena. 1868. Watercolors on strong paper. 48.5 x 32 cm. (Formerly) mounted in spots on thick backing card. Signed, inscribed and dated in ink center left (minimally stained in spots, backing card enclosed). Unique collection of autographs and watercolors by the important German zoologist, philosopher, draftsman, and university professor in Jena, Ernst Haeckel (1834-1919), as well as letters to him. - The collection provides eloquent testimony to Ernst Haeckel's private life and, moreover, offers a supplementary insight into his soul, his private, mostly self-referential thoughts and actions, largely unknown to researchers until now. Contains 76 handwritten letters, notes and postcards to daughter Elisabeth, son-in-law Hans Meyer (publisher and prolific scholar on African studies) granddaughter Else, etc., and 3 additional handwritten autographs, 3 watercolors by Haeckel, as well as 26 letters to him. - For further details see the German description above.