Isaakova Michalina, Polka in the wilds of Parana. 1937

Michalina Isaakova
Polka in the wildernesses of Parana. With numerous illustrations (my dop. - photographs).
St. Adalbert's Bookstore 1937. introduction by Arkady Fiedler.
Softcover, pages 232, page edges uneven. Usual signs of age, use, book in good condition.

Michalina Isaakowa, the first Polish woman who decided to undertake a solo expedition to another continent thus fulfilling a pledge made to her husband just before his death. Julius Isaak, sensing that he himself would no longer be able to fulfill his dream of an expedition to South America to collect the world's most beautiful butterflies, asked his wife to continue his work. Both were entomologists - amateurs. He recognized by scientific circles, she shared his passion, collaborating in the creation of an impressive collection of insects - collections that before the war were honored and awarded. She fulfilled his dream, specimens brought to Poland from an expedition to Parana increased the collection to nearly 15,000 specimens. After spending several years in Poland doing intensive work (organizing exhibitions, lectures), she decided to embark on another trip, from which she never returned. In 1937 she disappeared under unexplained circumstances in Peru, on the Ukajali River.