December 2020 Auction Ends Thursday, December 10th, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/10/2020
First edition, first printing of ''On the Origin of Species'' by Charles Darwin, one of the most important books in the scientific canon. London: John Murray, 1859. In this revolutionary book that upended man's own view of himself, Darwin posits natural selection as the engine driving species' evolution, an argument so persuasive that even 19th century religious leaders adjusted their teachings to allow for evolution to work in concert with divine planning. Its importance has only grown in the 150+ years since publication, with Freeman concluding it to be ''the most important biological book ever written''. First released on 24 November 1859, its scarcity nearly matches its importance, with the first printing consisting of only 1,250 copies, and the number of extant copies now significantly fewer.
All first printing points are present, including original binding, variant B, title page with copyright information on verso, Table of Contents (pages v-ix) with binder instructions to verso, complete pages 1-502, and folding table present between pages 116-117. Bound in publisher's full green boards, stamped and lettered in gilt. Overall in very good condition; ads at back of volume have been removed as has half-title page, and endpapers have been replaced. Volume is rebacked using morocco, with original spine laid down. Some shelf wear to boards. Light foxing throughout book, with some chipping, small closed tears with repairs to a few pages, and a few dogeared pages. One small mark on page 109, otherwise no internal writing or marks. Housed in a custom quarter-leather clamshell box. Overall in very good condition, a handsome, presentable copy of this scarce first printing.
First Edition, First Printing of Charles Darwin's Masterpiece, ''On the Origin of Species'' -- ''The most important biological book ever written''
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