1871 - CHARLES DARWIN - DESCENT OF MAN - 1ST EDITION, 2 VOLS ILLUSTRATED, SCARCE
Item History & Price
TheDescent of Man, andSelectionin Relation to Sex.InTwo VolumesWithIllustrations.----------------Charles Darwin, M.A., F.R.S., &c.----------------London: John Murray, Albemarle Street (1871), FirstEdition, Second Issue----------------This is the 2nd issue of the firstedition of Charles Darwin’s “The Descent of Man, and Selection in Relation toSex. In Two Volumes with Illustrations” (see below for edition and issueinformation). This is a two uniform volume set with r...eplacement half brownleather bindings with marbled boards, with gilt decorations and five raisedbands to the spines, and title labels with gilt lettering, all protected bymore recent cellophane-type wrappers held by clear tape. Both volumes havemarbled endpapers and page ends, there is what appears to be an ownershipinscription to the leading blank page of volume one and an ownership label tothe leading blank page of volume two, to the verso of each of the title pagesis a list of publications by the author, and there is a Contents list to thefront of each volume and an Introduction preceding the main body of volume one.Both volumes contain illustrations, largely within the text, and volume twoconcludes with a comprehensive Index of both volumes, pp. viii, 423, viii, 475.Please note that the half title pages and the publisher’s advertisements areabsent from these volumes. This is the second printing of the firstedition, a couple of examples of the differences between the 1st and 2nd issuesconfirm this. For example, the 1st issue of volume two has an errata section tothe verso of the title page, whereas the 2nd issue has a list other works byDarwin, and on page 297 of volume one the first word is “transmitted”, whereasin the 2nd issue it is “When”. In addition, both volumes have been re-boundfrom their original green cloth covers to the current state of half brownleather bindings with marbled boards. I have located a reference to these booksin the British Library and some references elsewhere on the Internet in thepublic domain, where they are available at premium. According to an Internetsource:“Charles Robert Darwin, FRS FRGS FLS FZS(12 February 1809 – 19 April 1882) was an English naturalist, geologist andbiologist, best known for his contributions to the science of evolution. Hisproposition that all species of life have descended over time from commonancestors is now widely accepted, and considered a foundational concept inscience.”“The Descent of Man, and Selection inRelation to Sex is a book by English naturalist Charles Darwin, first publishedin 1871, which applies evolutionary theory to human evolution, and details histheory of sexual selection, a form of biological adaptation distinct from, yetinterconnected with, natural selection. The book discusses many related issues, including evolutionary psychology, evolutionary ethics, differences betweenhuman races, differences between sexes, the dominant role of women in matechoice, and the relevance of the evolutionary theory to society.” Generally, these books are in faircondition overall, despite the faults described below. More specifically, externally they are rubbed and bumped, the cellophane wrappers are attached byclear tape that is affixed in part to the pastedowns, there is some thinningand splitting to the creases of the spines, and the leather and boards are wornand marked, internally there is some age browning and foxing, some spottingwith light grubbiness through use, and splitting to the internal creases at thepastedowns, otherwise generally bright and tight throughout.Please note the page deficiencies indicatedin the description above. Unpackaged these books weigh 1420g (approx 3lb 2oz), and individually are 18.5 x 13.5 cm(large 12mo) or approximately 7¼ x 5¼ inches in size. Further InformationShipping:We can ship to you worldwide.Our preferredmethods of shipping will be through using a tracked and insured service; however, we will offer you two shipping types and costs for you to choose from - pleaseselect the appropriate method for you. If you choose to use a non-insuredmethod we cannot be responsible for any losses in transit. If you would prefera shipping method other than that offered then please ask us before bidding forthe item.Please note that for residents of theChannel Islands and some other off-shore locations in the UK there may beadditional charges, please contact us for a quotation before bidding on anyitem.Please note: we offer a combinedshipping service, which we will automatically apply in the case of multiplepurchases.We will ensure that all books are wellpacked and protected by bubble wrap for the journey.Terms of Sale:Your satisfaction is our main concernand, therefore, we will offer a full money back refund if your purchase is notas described.
