French athropologist, pedagogue, and writer (1759-1823). Autograph letter signed. Paris. 8vo. 1½ pp. on bifolium. With autograph address.
$ 482 / 450 €
(91657/BN60978)
Rare and highly interesting letter by Jauffret in is function as perpetual secretary of the Société des Observateurs de l'Homme to the botanist and physician Jean-Emmanuel Gilibert, inviting him to become a corresponding member of the newly founded learned society. Jauffret announces an official invitation letter by the mineralogist and fellow member Eugène Patrin, while taking the opportunity to express the high estime he had long had for Gilibert. The translated letter in full: "A Society of Observers of Man could not be formed without having as its first ambition that of corresponding with the distinguished scholars who by their work have been able to contribute to the understanding and perfection of anthropology.
Could it have thought of attaching itself to such correspondents, and not have you in view? The society, in its extraordinary meeting of the past 4th Complementary Day, has placed you on the list and has admitted you to its bosom. Citizen Patrin has taken charge of informing you of this; but it is also my responsibility to do so and I do not want to let this opportunity escape me to show you in particular the high esteem that I have held for you for a long time." - Founded in 1799 by Jauffret, the cleric and pedagogue for deaf people Roch-Ambroise Cucurron Sicard and Joseph de Maimieux, the "Société des Observateurs de l'Homme" counted many important scholars of various fields among its members, such as Louis Antoine de Bougainville, Adamantios Korais, Philippe Pinel, and Antoine Isaac Silvestre de Sacy. Although the Society, that had its sessions in Jauffret's home, was dissolved in 1804 and documents of its activities are scarce, it is considered to be the birthplace of French anthropology. - On stationery with printed letterhead of the Société des Observateurs de l'Homme. - Minor foxing..