Up for sale is a extraordinary piece of early 20th-century scientific history and Japanese postal ephemera. This 1907 Meiji-era international postcard represents a direct piece of personal correspondence between two of the world's most legendary historical shell collectors (Malacologists).
The historical Message:
The reverse side contains a handwritten holiday greeting written in crisp, legible English script, signed by Hirase:
"Kyoto, Japan, 28th Nov; 07. Dear Sir, I beg you to accept a picture of cut velvet which I sent you as the compliments of "Merry Xmas & a Happy New Year"., Yours sincerely, Y. Hirase"
Incredible Scientific Provenance:
- The Sender (Yoichiro Hirase, 1859-1925):
- Based in Kyoto, Hirase was a pioneer of Japanese malacology. He discovered hundreds of new land and marine snail species, published the influential Conchological Magazine, and later opened the historic Hirase Shell Museum in Kyoto.
- The Recipient (Philippe Dautzenberg, 1849-1935):
- Based at 209 Rue de I'Universite in Paris, Dautzenberg amassed one of the largest private shell collections in the world (over 4.5 million specimens), which is now preserved in the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences.
This holiday card perfectly documents the global network, friendship, and exchange of gifts between these two monumental figures of natural history.
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