- 42
Darwin, Charles
Estimate
60,000 - 80,000 USD
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Description
- Darwin, Charles
- On the Origin of Species by means of Natural Selection, or the preservation of favoured races in the struggle for life. London: John Murray, 1859.
- Ink, paper and cloth
8vo (7 3/4 x 5 1/4 ins.; 198 x 125 mm). 32 page publisher's catalogue at rear dated June 1859, half-title verso with quotations from "W. Whewell" and Bacon only, folding lithographic diagram by William West after Darwin; engraved portrait of Darwin added as frontispiece, scant foxing, block cracking at gathering P, else an unusually tight and clean example. Original publisher's green cloth, sides stamped in blind, spine in gilt, by Edmonds and Remnants with their ticket on the lower pastedown.
Literature
Dibner Heralds of Science 199; Heirs of Hippocrates 1724; Freeman 373; Garrison-Morton (1991) 220; Grolier Science 23b; Norman 593; PMM 344b.
Catalogue Note
first edition of "the most important biological book ever written" (Freeman) and "one of the most important books ever published" (Garrison-Morton).
Of the first edition of 1,250 copies, 58 were distributed by Murray for review, promotion, and presentation, and Darwin reported that the balance was sold out on the first day of publication.