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Post by nomad on Nov 10, 2012 6:25:50 GMT -8
Hi fellow collectors, I would appreciate hearing from anyone about the later life and expeditions of Albert Stewart Meek [1871-1943]. This famous naturalist collected specimens for Lord Rothschild in New Guinea and in the surrounding islands. A. S. Meek discovered many butterflies including O. alexandrae and O. chimaera. I highly recommend his 1913 book, A naturalist in a Cannibal Land which gives the reader the thrill of his more important discoveries. His book mentions his journeys till 1911.The Wikipedia page on him is informative but does not give any account of his later life. What expeditions did he undertake after 1911 and did he return to England or settle in Australia. Best Wishes, Peter.
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Post by nomad on Nov 30, 2012 10:56:58 GMT -8
Hi fellow collectors, I have been able to find out that the brave and very resourceful collector A. S. Meek undertook a successful expedition to the Admiralty Islands in 1913. He apparently stopped off at Astrolabe bay, New Guinea where he collected among other things, Ornithoptera paradisea paradisea. A fellow collector has a tiny male, with the data label, A. S. Meek, Astrolabe bay, 1913. Peter.
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Post by simosg on Nov 30, 2012 11:26:21 GMT -8
Can you get a picture of this specimen? Would be very interesting.
Hannes
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Post by nomad on Nov 30, 2012 12:09:46 GMT -8
Hi Hannes If I can obtain a image, I will post it here. As you are a paradisea lover, I thought you would like to know that I have just obtained a giant male paradisea borchi spread specimen [13.5cm] from a English dealer. This specimen has the following data, Maprik , Papua, New Guinea, Harry borch, March, 1974, [1500ft]. I plan to photograph this specimen and post a image on the show your favourite specimen forum. Peter.
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Post by simosg on Nov 30, 2012 12:26:26 GMT -8
Great, I'm curios in both!
Hannes
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Post by wollastoni on Dec 3, 2012 0:27:08 GMT -8
nomad < thanks for informing us about Meek's book : "A naturalist in a Cannibal Land". I bought it on Amazon after reading your post and it's amazing!
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Post by Adam Cotton on Dec 3, 2012 8:00:39 GMT -8
You can download the book for free here, as it's out of copyright: www.biodiversitylibrary.org/bibliography/18340For those who would like to download it and are not familiar with the BHL site, click on the + sign next to the "View Book" link on the right of the page and download from the pdf link that appears. It is 22MB in size, so if you don't want to download the whole book just left click the "View Book" link. There you can choose which page you would like to view. Adam.
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Post by nomad on Dec 3, 2012 9:41:10 GMT -8
Hi Wollastoni Glad you enjoyed the book, Meek was a really brilliant collector who discovered many Ornithoptera and Delias butterflies among many others. By the way I have met you at the Juvisy fair when you showed me a case of your wonderful Delias specimens on the lawn outside the hall. The book is available as a reprint by kessinger Publishing .
Peter.
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Post by wollastoni on Dec 3, 2012 10:47:26 GMT -8
Oh yes Peter, I remember you ! :-) Good to see you on this forum !
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Post by timsbugs on Dec 3, 2012 18:02:29 GMT -8
Thanks for the link Adam! I will read this.
Tim
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Post by lepidofrance on Dec 17, 2012 3:42:51 GMT -8
Many thanks to Adam ! I got the Meek's book from the BHL webpage. Thank you so much ! JM Attachments:
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Post by wollastoni on Dec 17, 2012 5:25:03 GMT -8
Jean-Marc, you will see Meek was almost as explorer as you are !
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Post by lepidofrance on Dec 17, 2012 15:31:41 GMT -8
Meek wrote interesting observations on Delias and, as you know, collected Ornithoptera with bow and arrows !
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Post by wollastoni on Dec 18, 2012 2:01:48 GMT -8
Yes have a look in this book on his method to lure Delias with another one. I remember we wanted to experiment if it works or not : well it seems to work !
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Post by nomad on Dec 18, 2012 14:12:53 GMT -8
Hi fellow collectors
I thought those of you that have read Albert Meek's fine book might like to know what I have been able to find out about his later life and expeditions . During 1913 he set sail on his largest expedition he had yet undertaken.
Meek first went to Goodenough Island, lying to the east of New Guinea and which he had previously visited. This time he set up his camp at a higher altitude in the montane forests of the mountains. Meek spent three months here between March and May and made some very good collections.
He next visited Rook Island [Umboi Island] June to August 1913, which is situated to the west of New Britain. During the latter part of his stay here, Meek became quite ill when he contracted sunstroke. He had to convalesce at Madang on the North coast of New Guinea. Sending out collecting parties while he was here.
Recovered, Meek now went on to the Admiralty Islands which were little visited due to the warlike reputation of the natives. Meek set up his main camp on Manus Island. While Meek and his native collectors were out, they had to have a armed party on watch at all times. During his stay here Meek found O. priamus admiralitatis, taking only one male and Papilio weymeri.
Meek next collected on two islands, lying of the north coast of New Guinea. These were Vulcan Island [Nov 1913-Jan 1914] and Dampier Island [Feb to March 1914]
The world events of 1914-1918, curtailed any more expeditions and Meek bought a cattle station in Cooktown, Queensland. During 1923, Meek organised a expedition with his brother in law, the well known collector A. F. Eichhorn to New Hanover and adjacent Islands. However Meek was now a shadow of his former self, worn out by his many excursions and illness, which at times included malaria. Meek spent March and April in New Hanover but became very ill and returned to Cooktown, leaving Eichhorn to carry on. Departing New Hanover, Eichhorn visited the Squally [Emiraul] Islands and the St Matthias group. The natives of St Matthias had a very bad reputation, having attacked the previous South Sea German collecting expedition, killing the leader Dr Menchen and wounding his assistant Dr Heinroth. All of the other Germans and most of the native helpers were also killed by the cannibals. Such were the dangers of collecting in these islands at this time.
Returning to Meek, he gave up collecting but financed two further expeditions to New Britain and New Ireland in 1924 and 1925. These were led by A.F. Eichhorn. Albert Eichhorn often collected with his brother George, who was also a brother in law of Meek, they certainly kept collecting in the family. Although too ill to collect, Meek outlived Albert Eichhorn who died from illness at a comparatively young age in 1931. Another hazard of collecting in the jungles of this period. All the collections made by Meek and Eichhorn were sent to Lord Rothschild at Tring, England.
A. S. Meek finally retired to Bondi, Sydney, where he spent the remainder of his fascinating and rich life.
Peter
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