Charles Darwin (1809-1882)
Autograph letter signed ('Charles Darwin') to [Thomas Rivers], Down, 23 December [1862]
Four pages, bifolium, printed address. Provenance: The Property of a Lady; Sotheby's, 23 & 24 July 1987, lot 354.

'I am now writing a book on the Variation of Animals & Plants under domestication': a request for information on bud-variation. With extreme diffidence, Darwin approaches a leading nurseryman and authority on roses and fruit trees for information on bud variations: 'I do not know whether you will forgive a stranger addressing you. My name may possibly be known to you.— I am now writing a book on the Variation of Animals & Plants under domestication; & there is one little piece of information, which it is more likely that you could give me, than any man in the world, if you can spare half an hour from your professional labours ... I am collecting all accounts of what some call “Sports”, that is, of what I shall call “bud-variations”, i.e. a moss-rose suddenly appearing on a provence rose — a nectarine on a peach &c &c'. Darwin enquires whether Rivers has seen 'very slight differences' appearing by buds, rather than seedlings, and whether he has any further information on bud-variations: 'I feel sure that these “bud-variations” are most interesting to anyone endeavouring to make out, what little can be made out on the obscure subject of variation.'

Thomas Rivers (1798–1877) was a leading nurseryman and expert on roses and fruit-trees. Darwin's diffident initial letter led to a rich correspondence which provided him with significant material towards Variation of plants and animals under domestication (1868), the sequel to Origin of Species. DCP-LETT-3874.