Books

London: John Murray, 1862. First Edition. Hardcover Hardcover. Very Good Condition. 20.5cm x 14.5cm. vi, 366 pages, 32 advertisements, 1 folding plate, black and white illustrations in text. Aged reback with original spine laid down, original maroon cloth, gilt lettering with blind and gilt-stamped decoration. First edition, first issue, of Darwin's first published work after the Origin of Species, providing evidence supporting his theory of evolution through natural selection. Darwin believed this volume tackled the question of design in nature. He maintained that the complex internal arrangements and ornate ridges of orchids were not created for the sake of beauty, but for the functional purpose of facilitating reproduction. Includes a folding wood-engraved plate, 33 wood-engraved illustrations, as well as the gold-blocked orchid illustration on the cover. This copy with the advertisements dated December, 1861. Aged reback with the original spineback laid down with some loss.…

This groundbreaking work by Charles Darwin explores the mechanisms by which orchids are fertilized by insects and the benefits of cross-pollination.

First edition prints were published by John Murray in 1862. Look for the original John Murray logo and publication date on the title page.