Lot 39
  • 39

Darwin, Charles

Estimate
1,500 - 2,000 GBP
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Description

  • Darwin, Charles
  • Two works, 1872-1875, comprising:
  • Paper
i) The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals. John Murray, 1872, 8vo, FIRST EDITION, FIRST ISSUE (with final signatures 2B2 and 2C3, with 2B1 and 2C1 signed), 7 heliotype plates (3 folding) numbered in Roman, 4pp. publisher's adverts dated November 1872 at end, original green cloth, ruled in blind and lettered in gilt on spine [Freeman 1141; Norman 600], possibly lacking preliminary blank, binding slightly rubbed at extremities, plate VI with a small closed tear to upper cornerii) Insectivorous Plants. John Murray, 1875, 8vo, FIRST EDITION, FIRST ISSUE, half-title, woodcut illustrations, original green cloth, ruled in blind and lettered in gilt on spine [Freeman 1217; Norman 601], binding slightly rubbed (2)

Provenance

Sir George Murray Humphry, ownership initials on i) title page and ii) half-title; thence by descent

Condition

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Catalogue Note

As with the Norman copy, this copy of the first edition of The Expression of the Emotions... has the plates numbered in Roman rather than Arabic numerals. The present copy bears all the issue points of the first issue, with the correct signatures for the final leaves, the first issue integral adverts and "than" correctly spelt on p.208, but has only three preliminary leaves. 

FROM THE LIBRARY OF SIR GEORGE MURRAY HUMPHRY (1820-1896)

Professor Sir George Murray Humphry was a renowned surgeon and anatomist. Despite coming from a modest background without connections, he became the youngest hospital surgeon in England when he was appointed to  Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge at the age of 22. In 1847 he became a lecturer in Human Anatomy at Cambridge University, was appointed Professor of Human Anatomy in 1866, and he ended his life as “one of the most influential people in the University of Cambridge” (ODNB). Humphry was acquainted with Darwin’s son George, who had entered the university in 1863. The first edition Origin of Species offered here reflects Humphry’s participation in the most important scientific debates of his time: when invited in 1880 to deliver the Rede Lecture, he chose as his subject “Man, past, present and future”. In 1866, Humphry founded the Journal of Anatomy and Physiology, which he co-edited. The Journal regularly reviewed recent publications, and naturally its editor received copies of Darwin’s works in their earliest editions.