London, Nature, 1877. Folio (28.2 x 19.6 cm). pp. 410-412 in: Nature issue 15(384) [pp. cliii-clxiv, 389-424]. Original printed wrappers.

On the occasion of Charles Darwin's 69th birthday, the Dutch zoologist, ornithologist and chairman of the Netherlands Zoological Society, Adriaan Anthoni van Bemmelen (1830-1897), and the society’s secretary, the entomologist Huibert Johannes Veth (1846-1917) sent Darwin an album with photographs of 217 Dutch admirers, including 81 doctors and 21 university professors. Darwin replied: "I suppose that every worker at science occasionally feels depressed, and doubts whether what he has published has been worth the labour which it has cost him; but for the remaining years of my life, whenever I want cheering, I will look at the portraits of my distinguished co-workers in the field of science, and remember their generous sympathy. When I die the album will be a most precious bequest to my children...". Currently, the album is in Down House. Uncut, as issued. A few spots on the outer wrappers; weak, vertical fold (due to method of dispatching); otherwise a very good, clean copy. Darwin Correspondence Project, Letter no. 10831; Freeman, 1776.