Books

New York: D. Appleton and Co., 1860. First Edition, First Printing in America, First Issue with two quotations facing the title-page. A copy with fine provenance, the Lee - Perkins - Shattuck - Peabody Family Copy. With folding diagram as called for. 8vo, publisher’s original brown cloth with central ornamental designs and border rules blocked in blind on both covers, the spine lettered in gilt. 432 pp. including index. A completely unrestored copy, internally fresh clean, the hinges strong and tight, the text-block in fine condition, covers unusually clean and well preserved, the fragile cloth of the spine panel with some chipping to the head and foot, the gilt mellowed. FIRST EDITION, FIRST ISSUE OF THE AMERICAN PRINTING. RARE IN ORIGINAL CLOTH AND ONE OF THE GREATEST BOOKS IN THE HISTORY OF SCIENCE. The copy is unrestored and unsophisticated, the hinges still in unusually nice condition as is the cloth of the covers.. Darwin's Revolutionary Masterwork, in…

"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.