Autograph Letter Signed ('E Ray Lankester. | MA. FRS. Professor of Zoology in University Coll. London.') from Sir Edwin Ray Lankester, requesting a copy of Sedgwick's translation of Claus from the publishers [Swan Sonnenschein & Co, London].

3pp., 12mo. In fair condition, on lightly-aged paper with a thin strip of glue in gutter from previous mounting. Lankester complains that he has 'not received a copy of Mr. Sedgwick's translation of Claus' Handbook of Zoology'. He has 'a large number of students (annually over 60) at University College' to whom he would recommend the book if he had it. 'I should wish to be able to place it on the lecture table for them to see.' He claims that it is 'usual for publishers to enable teachers to do this kind of thing - by sending them copies of works likely to be recommended'. Since he uses the German edition of the book himself, he has 'no intention of purchasing a copy of the English translation', and asks them to 'send me a presentation copy to University College'. Accompanying the letter is a photographic portrait of Lankester, removed from a magazine and neatly attached to a paper mount. It is captioned 'The most prominent English scientist to-day'.