Darwin, Charles
£15,625
Auction: 10 June 2009 at 12:00 BST
Description
On the origin of species by means of natural selection. London: John Murray, 1859. First edition, 8vo, half-title, 1 folding lithographed diagram, a few passages scored in pencil in the margins, with one pencil annotation on p.221, contemporary green half morocco, half-title loose and slightly chipped, worn, upper hinge broken, short marginal tear to pp. 23, 25, 105 & 107
Footnote
Note: First edition of Darwin's greatest work, ''the most important biological book ever written'' (Freeman) and ''one of the most important books ever published'' (Garrison & Morton). Murray printed 1250 copies of the first edition, which were all taken up on the first day; a second edition of 3000 copies sold out shortly afterwards.