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Collecting Wonders

By the 1800s, scientists recognized the value of recording accurate specimen information. To augment their own efforts, they encouraged travelers to collect and published instructions for the proper documentation and care of specimens. The Smithsonian Institution played an important role in disseminating such information.



From Papillons d'Europe by J. J. Ernst. Paris, 1779-1792.   Entomologist Terry Erwin collects insects from South American rainforests. He labels all specimens with the exact location and date of its collection, as well as his name as the collector.

A. (Adolphe) Boucard (1839-1905)
How to gain from eighty to two hundred pounds sterling a year by instructive and amusing means, or, Instructions for collecting, preserving, and sending collections of natural history
London: General Natural History Agency, 1871. 28 [i.e. 32] p.

How to gain from eighty to two hundred pounds sterling a year by instructive and amusing means, or, Instructions for collecting, preserving, and sending collections of natural history

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J. J. Ernst
Papillons d'Europe, peints d'après nature ...
Paris: Chez P. M. Delaguette [etc.], 1779-1792. 8 v. in 3 : ill. + atlases (3 v. : col. ill.).

Papillons d'Europe, peints d'après nature ...

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George Graves (fl. 1777-1834)
The naturalist's pocket-book, or Tourist's companion : being a brief introduction to the different branches of natural history : with approved methods for collecting and preserving the various productions of nature
London: Printed for Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme and Brown, 1818. viii, [8], 335, [1] p., 8 leaves of plates : ill. (5 col.).

The naturalist's pocket-book, or Tourist's companion : being a brief introduction to the different branches of natural history : with approved methods for collecting and preserving the various productions of nature

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Smithsonian Institution
Directions for collecting, preserving and transporting specimens of natural history
Washington D.C.: Smithsonian Institution, 1859. 23 p.

Directions for collecting, preserving and transporting specimens of natural history

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United States Naval Lyceum
General directions for collecting and preserving articles in the various departments of natural history …
New York: J. Post, printer, 1834. 11 p.

General directions for collecting and preserving articles in the various departments of natural history …

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