Louvain, 1874. Single leaf (21.1 x 13.1 cm).

A neatly written letter, signed and dated 1 Juin 1874, by the Belgian palaeontologist, marine biologist, malacologist, mammalogist and Cetacea specialist, Pierre-Joseph Van Beneden (1809-1894), author of, for instance, Description des ossements fossiles des environs d'Anvers. In this letter, Van Beneden refers to the death of the Swiss-born American biologist and palaeontologist Jean Louis Rodolphe Agassiz (1807-1873), and applies, as a long-time correspondent, to succeed him at Harvard University. "I learned that you are part of the commission of presentation for the position left vacant by the death of Agassiz […]. I might have a few titles to make the list and let me tell you that I would be infinitely flattered if my name could appear […]". Weak vertical and horizontal fold; tiny tear in top margin, otherwise very good, clean, and well-readable.