Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 08/04/1905 (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
1 letter, 2 sheets, 5 pages
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
Born in Falkirk in 1873, George Forrest became one of Scotland's most prolific plant collectors, conducting seven expeditions in Yunnan province, S.W. China between 1904 and his death there in 1932.
Repository
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Content and structure area
Scope and content
Letter from George Forrest, China Inland Mission, Talifu [Dali], Yunnan, to Isaac Bayley Balfour, 'Regius Keeper', Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, dated 08 April 1905.
Forrest writes that he has despatched a parcel of 105 specimens. He apologises for haste but is joining a caravan of unladen mules which will take him to Tzekou [Cigu]. There is a brief description of a mixture of seeds, collected for him by a Tibetan soldier acting as his servant who ‘returned to camp in the evening with all the seeds he had collected stuck inside his tunic, and a hopeless mixture.’ He encloses two photographs, one of primula, the other of fumaria, with description of their provenance. The photographs are no longer with the letter.
Plants referenced: Acacia; Fumaria; Gentian; Orchid; Primula
The letter has been burnt, with some loss, but not affecting the text.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
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Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Conditions governing reproduction
Permission required from RBGE.
Language of material
- English
Script of material
Language and script notes
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
The letter has been burnt, with some loss, not affecting the text; care should be taken when handling the letter.
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Existence and location of copies
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Notes area
Note
It should be noted that the catalogue descriptions, summaries and letters may contain sensitive subjects and Forrest’s language, spellings and attitudes which may be deemed offensive now.
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Dates of creation revision deletion
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Archivist's note
This Forrest correspondence collection summary has been provided by library volunteer Pauline Maclean.