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First US edition, first issue, of "the most influential scientific work of the 19th century" (Horblit) and "certainly the most important biological book ever written" (Freeman), in which Darwin explained his concept of evolutionary adaptation through natural selection, which would become the foundation of modern evolutionary theory. The text is that of the first edition published in London the previous year. The first four issues of the first US edition are notable for being the only editions of the Origin, save the first British edition in 1859, to contain Darwin's "whale-bear" theory, in which he speculated that a bear scooping insects from the water may evolve into a whale-like creature. The hypothesis was seen as absurd at the time and was seized upon by Darwin's critics to ridicule and criticize both the scientist and his evolutionary theory. It was removed from the second UK edition onwards on the advice of Charles Lyell and Richard Owen; however, Darwin insisted that he had "always regretted that I followed this advice, for I still think the view quite reasonable... I still maintain that there is no special difficulty in a bear's mouth being enlarged to any degree useful to its changing habits" (Freeman, Companion, p. 301). Aside from the US issues, the whale-bear story did not appear again until the end of copyright. This copy contains extensive contemporary pencil annotations to endleaves and contents demonstrating close reading of the text, along with charming marginal pencil drawings of birds and two pages of notes laid in, referencing the works of naturalists such as Richard Owen and Louis Agassiz. READ MORE Octavo. Original brown pebble-grain publisher's cloth, spine lettered in gilt and ruled in blind, covers framed with centrepiece in blind, brown coated endpapers. Folding chart (formerly bound opposite p. 108, sometime re-guarded facing half-title). Spine ends discreetly restored, wear to corners, spine panel unfaded and cloth presenting nicely, inner hinges neatly repaired, contents foxed, a couple of gatherings proud, cords occasionally visible but book block remaining firm: a very good copy. Freeman 377. R. B. Freeman, Charles Darwin: A Companion, 1978.

"On the Origin of Species" is a pivotal scientific work by Charles Darwin, published in 1859. In this seminal book, Darwin proposed the theory of evolution through natural selection, reshaping humanity's understanding of the natural world. He presented a comprehensive argument supported by extensive observations and evidence from various fields, discussing the gradual modification of species over time. Darwin's central idea was that all species of organisms evolved from common ancestors and that the mechanism driving this evolution was natural selection. He argued that within populations, organisms exhibit variations, and those better adapted to their environment have a higher chance of surviving and passing on their advantageous traits to future generations. Over successive generations, these advantageous traits accumulate, leading to the divergence of species and the formation of new ones. Darwin drew upon diverse scientific disciplines, including geology, paleontology, embryology, and anatomy, to support his theory. He detailed examples from nature, such as the diversity of finches in the Galápagos Islands and artificial selection in domesticated animals, to illustrate his points. The book triggered widespread debate, challenging prevailing religious and scientific beliefs about the origin and diversity of life. While controversial at the time, "On the Origin of Species" laid the groundwork for modern evolutionary biology. Its profound impact continues to shape scientific inquiry, influencing fields ranging from genetics to ecology and sparking ongoing discussions about life's interconnectedness and the processes that drive biological diversity.