English naturalist and explorer (1825–1892) who gave the first scientific account of mimicry in animals, celebrated for his expedition to the Amazon rainforests with Alfred Russel Wallace. ALS signed in ink, “H. W. Bates,” one page, 9 x 7, personal letterhead, February 4, 1888. Handwritten letter to Bernard Piffard, renowned microscopist and slide maker, who spent time with Bates in the Amazon. In part: "It gives one great pleasure to find that you had not forgotten me. Your memory with us is kept alive by occasional news of you given to us by Dr. or Mrs. Knaggs. Thanks for the report from the Natural History Society. The accounts of your excursions are extremely interesting. I have found much that is new to me in the explanations of ancient British place-names given by the local antiquarians who guided your parties. It is not often that one finds anything well worth reading in the reports of local societies. I still go on with the study of Coleoptera and shall be very glad of the quill of Texan specimens." In fine condition. Accompanied by the original envelope, addressed in Bates's hand. Bates refers to Dr. Henry Guard Knaggs, one of the most famous Victorian entomologists and the author of The Lepidopterist's Guide (1869).
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