Books

London: John Murray, 1871. First edition. THE EVOLUTION OF MAN. First edition, second issue, presentation copy from the printer William Clowes the younger. The word ‘evolution’ appears here for the first time in any of Darwin’s works, on page 2 of the first volume, ‘that is to say before its appearance in the sixth edition of the Origin of species in the following year’ (Freeman p 129). Darwin’s second most important work, his seminal treatise on the evolution of man; this is a fine copy in original state, rare in this condition. “This is really two works. The first demolished the theory that the universe was created for Man, while in the second Darwin presented a mass of evidence in support of his earlier hypothesis regarding sexual selection … In the Origin, Darwin had avoided discussing the place occupied by homo sapiens in the scheme of natural selection, stating only that ‘light will be thrown on the origin of man and his history.’ Twelve years later he made…

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.