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Cullman Ala Oct[b?] 26/87

M. Leland Stanford Esq.

[large notation: 117 ½]

Dear Sir!

My son P. F. Mohr informs me, of having offered you my collections, and [insert: that] you showed some inclination to buy the same for the California university, provided you can get satisfactory references from scientific authorities about their value. When my collections were exhibited for several years in the Exhibition building at Cincinnati, the same were examined by several gentlemen of scientific authority, but since about 4 years they have been stored away and only a very small part is now exhibited in the new Art museum building; therefore my references could only speak about the collections as seen in the old building several years ago and if this is satisfactory I shall send you the names. But what guarantee would that be for you? the collections may not be the same, as when seen by the gentlemen I would refer, and it would be a difficult matter for them to make a correct estimate now. If I could show the collections to some of your scientific friends, it would be easy for them, to make a fair & correct valuation, but to examine so many thousands of specimens all wrapped and packed [insert: up] would be impracticable.

I send you enclosed a synopsis of the collection, which gives