Charles Darwin – The Descent of Man – First UK Edition 1871
£15,000.00
John Murray, London, 1871. First edition, first issues of both volumes (with “transmitted” the first word on p. 297 in the first volume; in the second, the printer’s note on the verso of the half-title, errata on title verso, and the postscript leaf after p. viii). The first issue had a print-run of just 2,500 copies. Both volumes in comparable, excellent, near fine condition. One small name within each (F. Bond). Neat internal repair to each gutter of both volumes. Internally exceptionally clean and externally also remarkably fresh with only a little wear to the spine tips and edges and a little bubbling to the bottom of the rear panels. The binding is exceptionally tight. Not usually encountered in such beautiful condition.
Charles Darwin expands on his theory of evolution, focusing on human origins and the role of sexual selection. In this groundbreaking work, Darwin argues that humans share a common ancestor with other animals, particularly apes, emphasising the continuity between humans and the rest of the natural world. He explores how natural selection and sexual selection have shaped human physical and behavioural traits, including differences between sexes and races. Darwin also discusses the development of moral sense, intellect, and social behaviour, suggesting that these too evolved gradually. The book was controversial, challenging religious and scientific views of the time by placing humans firmly within the framework of evolutionary biology. ‘The Descent of Man’ not only deepened public understanding of human evolution but also laid the foundation for later studies in anthropology, psychology, and evolutionary theory, making it a landmark in scientific literature and is claimed to be such by Sigmund Freud, “One of the ten most significant books ever written”.
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- Description
Description
John Murray, London, 1871. First edition, first issues of both volumes (with “transmitted” the first word on p. 297 in the first volume; in the second, the printer’s note on the verso of the half-title, errata on title verso, and the postscript leaf after p. viii). The first issue had a print-run of just 2,500 copies. Both volumes in comparable, excellent, near fine condition. One small name within each (F. Bond). Neat internal repair to each gutter of both volumes. Internally exceptionally clean and externally also remarkably fresh with only a little wear to the spine tips and edges and a little bubbling to the bottom of the rear panels. The binding is exceptionally tight. Not usually encountered in such beautiful condition.
Charles Darwin expands on his theory of evolution, focusing on human origins and the role of sexual selection. In this groundbreaking work, Darwin argues that humans share a common ancestor with other animals, particularly apes, emphasising the continuity between humans and the rest of the natural world. He explores how natural selection and sexual selection have shaped human physical and behavioural traits, including differences between sexes and races. Darwin also discusses the development of moral sense, intellect, and social behaviour, suggesting that these too evolved gradually. The book was controversial, challenging religious and scientific views of the time by placing humans firmly within the framework of evolutionary biology. ‘The Descent of Man’ not only deepened public understanding of human evolution but also laid the foundation for later studies in anthropology, psychology, and evolutionary theory, making it a landmark in scientific literature and is claimed to be such by Sigmund Freud, “One of the ten most significant books ever written”.
