Charles Darwin | The Life and Letters, 1887, 3 volumes, presentation copy from Elizabeth Darwin

Darwin, Charles

The Life and Letters of Charles Darwin, including an autobiographical chapter, edited by his son, Francis Darwin. London: John Murray, 1887

FIRST EDITION, PRESENTATION COPY INSCRIBED BY DARWIN'S DAUGHTER ("Margaret Shaen | From her friend | Elizabeth Darwin"), 8vo, 3 volumes, wood engraved portrait frontispieces to all three volumes, engraved plate of facsimile manuscript in vol.2, original blue cloth, with contemporary publisher's bookmarker list and an unsigned postcard addressed to Shaen loosely inserted, wear to hinges and head and tail of spines, some weakening to joints, slight bubbling, occasional light spotting 

A FAMILY PRESENTATION COPY. Elizabeth Darwin (1847-1926) was the sixth child of Charles and Emma Darwin. She never married and lived with her parents until they died, subsequently moving to nearby Tromer Lodge in Downe. This copy was presented to a family friend, Margaret Shaen (1853-1936), a regular visitor to Down House. Shaen was an accomplished early amateur photographer who took portraits of both Charles and Emma Darwin.