Important scientific content! In an extremely rare handwritten letter from South America, French botanist and explorer Bonpland sends his friend, photographer Charles D. Fredricks, “the seeds of the famous plant known in Corrientes as Maiz del agua … I encountered this plant for the first time in Corrientes in 1821…” Bonpland tells Fredricks exactly how to plant the seeds. by Aimé Bonpland - September 16, 1850

Montevideo, [Uruguay], September 16, 1850. 8.25" x 10.5". "Rare Scientific Autograph Letter Signed “Amado Bonpland” in Spanish, 2.5p, 8.25” x 10.5”, front & verso on two conjoined sheets. Born in France, when in Spanish-speaking countries, Aimé used the name Amado. Montevideo [Uruguay], September 16, 1850. Fully translated. To Dr. D. Fredricks [Charles D. Fredricks] who has docketed the letter “A. Bonpland / remarks on / Maiz del Agua” on verso of third page. Light soiling. Portions of paper mended and infilled with loss of a few [words]. Very Good condition.

In full, “I have the particular pleasure of sending you, in a well-soldered tin box, the seeds of the famous plant known in Corrientes as Maiz del agua. You can see a picture of this plant, which has been given the name of Victoria Regina in the Penny Magazine of February 1838 and also in the Illustrated London News page 328. I encountered this plant for the first time in Corrientes in 1821. I made a description of it, and I have determined that it should belong to the Nymphea genus. Now the botanists will determine its fate, I mean, whether it is a Nymphea or belongs to another genus.

“The Maiz del agua is an aquatic plant and it seems to me that the following precautions are necessary in order to get it to grow perfect vegetation. [I am of] the view that the seeds should be planted in […] or large boxes. In any event, these vessels should be placed in others that are full of water. Next, in order to speed up growth, the vessels should be placed in hotbed frames and brought quite close to the glass, so that they receive light and warmth.

“Once the seeds begin to sprout, the vessels should be placed on the bottom of a pond, reservoir, or lake, and two precautions should be taken. The first should consist in fastening the vessels down firmly on the bottom of the water. The second should be to break or remove the vessels at the appropriate time so that the roots can extend. My good friend, I have believed it appropriate to go into these details despite what you can read in the Illustrated London News and the fact that there surely exist very skillful horticulturalists in your wealthy and enlightened country. I anxiously desire, my good friend that the Maze [del agua…] grow, flower, and bear fruit. Count me always among the number of your best friends.”

Stephen Bell writes in “A Life in Shadow: Aimé Bonpland in Southern South America, 1817–1858” (Stanford, California: Stanford University Press, 2010), in part, “Bonpland made the journey from Sáo Borja [Brazil] to Montevideo [Uruguay] accompanied by three daguerreotype artists, part of the first wave of photographers to pass through the region recording the faces of the elites. The most important of these was the New York-born Charles DeForest Fredricks (1823-1894), most remembered today in South America for his early images of the city of Buenos Aires. Bonpland found a rare companion in Fredricks, sharing in common the experience of having journeyed along the Orinoco. The photographer was quick to send a brief account of Bonpland’s circumstances to the Société de Géographie in Paris [1850]. Listening to Bonpland at the age of seventy-eight [1851] planning for the future, Fredricks commented, one might think that he was still a la fleur de son âge (in the prime of life) … Fredricks is a key figure in the history of early South American photography. Traveling there between 1844 and 1853, his roving career touched Argentina, Brazil, Cuba, Uruguay, and Venezuela for certain, and possibly also Paraguay. Based at Buenos Aires in 1851-52, Fredricks is regarded as the most important of the photographers active there around the middle of the nineteenth century. Among other things, he was responsible for the first general view of that city. He later opened a well-regarded photographic studio in New York, The Temple of Art…”

Many animals and plants are named in Bonpland’s honor including the deep sea squid Grimalditeuthis bonplandi, the beetles Megacyllene bonplandi and Chalcolepidius bonplandi, the butterfly Heliconius hecuba bonplandi, the freshwater mussel Unio bonplandi Humboldt, the orchid Ornithocephalus bonplandi, and many, many more. Also, the lunar crater Bonpland is named after him.

Only two letters of Bonpland have appeared at major public auctions in the past 40 years, none in this century. Written in 1799 and 1800, neither with scientific content, both shorter than the letter here offered, Bonpland wrote to unnamed recipients giving accounts of his travels in South America. They each sold below the $4000 level.
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