Books

London: John Murray, 1871. First edition, second issue of volume 1, seventh thousand of volume 2.. Good+. 2 volumes octavo (20 cm). Original green cloth. Spine cocked somewhat on volume 1. Both volumes well-read, but quite good. Owner's name in pencil on title page of volume 1. References: Norman 599; Garrison-Morton 170; Corrections to the text in volume 1 mark this printing as the first edition, second issue. Volume 2 is the first restriking. It is noted that the word "evolution" occurs on page 2 of volume 1 for the first time in any of Darwin's works.

In 'The Descent of Man,' Charles Darwin applies evolutionary theory to human evolution, and details his theory of sexual selection.

Original first editions published by John Murray in 1871 can be identified by green cloth boards with gilt details on the spine and by the presence of advertisements at the end of the volume dated January 1871.