Books

Descent of Man by Charles Darwin. Published by D. Appleton and Company, New York, 1871. FIRST AMERICAN EDITION containing his first published use of the term 'evolution' on page 2 of volume I. Complete in two volumes. Renowned zoological illustrator T. W. Wood contributed many of the illustrations to the books. The scarce first printing with 1871 on the title page, errata from volume I to verso of contents leaf in vol. II, 2-page ads to rear of vol. I, 12-page ads to rear of vol. II and the 4-page prospectus for "The Origin of Species" from The Works of Charles Darwin tipped in at the front of volume I. CONDITION ~ 8vo. "8" x 5.5" x 1.5" Very good condition. Bound in the publisher's original reddish-brown cloth hardcover binding with black stamped double rule and decoration to the boards and gilt stamped titles to the spine with yellow coated endpapers. Volume I - 409 pages plus 2 pages of ads. Volume 2 - 436 pages including the index plus 12 pages of ads. Minimal discoloration…

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.