Mecenat entomologiczny Jerzego Wandalina Mniszcha (1824–1881) w świetle jego listów do Armanda Davida (1826–1900)

Entomological patronage of Jerzy Wandalin Mniszech (1824–1881) in the light of his letters to Armand David (1826–1900). Jerzy Wandalin Mniszech’s collection of beetles was probably the largest in the world. The article presents the unpublished correspondence of Mniszech with Armand David, a French missionary and naturalist in China. David returned from China and prepared his new trip to this country in 1871. Mniszech formulated a real scientific program of entomological research for him. He has also put large sums of money at his disposal. Finally he taught him the methods of trapping and the means of preserving insects. Mniszech equipped David with the material and books necessary for determination and drew his attention to species of particular interest to collectors and to science. Until now the role of Mniszech in David’s research in China remained unknown to historians. The correspondence gives many details about the daily work of an entomologist at this time as well as the collections of natural history in Paris. These letters, preserved in the archives of the Vincentian Fathers in Paris, constitute a precious source for the history of European and Chinese entomology of the 19^th century.