Books

First edition, second issue, of the first of Darwin's works to contain the word "evolution", on page 2 of the first volume; it precedes the term's appearance in the sixth edition of the Origin of Species the following year. In the Descent, Darwin finally applied the Origin's theory of evolution to the development of humanity. Prior to the Descent, Darwin carefully neglected to draw out the implications of his theory when applied to human beings and hoped that one of his supporters, such as Lyell or Huxley, might tackle the thorny question of human evolution. When none did, he set to work writing. Darwin laid out a clear family tree for humans, tracing their affinity with primates, and expounded his views on the evolutionary origins of morality and religion. By doing so, the Descent "brought the full force of evolutionary proposals directly into the heart of ordinary Victorian life" (ODNB) and "caused a furore second only to that raised by the Origin" (Norman). The second issue can be distinguished from the first by several of textual differences. The second issue of Volume I is identified through the appearance of "When" as the first word of page 297; the first issue reads "transmitted". The second issue of Volume II lists nine further works by Darwin on the title leaf verso. Norman states that there were 2,500 copies of the first issue and 2,000 copies of the second issue printed. Two vols, octavo (182 x 120 mm). Near-contemporary black half calf, spines lettered and tooled in gilt, 5 raised bands, red morocco spine labels, marbled sides, endpapers, and edges. Numerous woodcut illustrations within text. Bound without half-titles and advertisements. Early 20th-century bookplates to front free endpapers verso. Extremities and sides rubbed, a touch of wear to corners, inner hinges of vol. I superficially split, occasional neat pencil annotations: in very good condition. Freeman 938; Garrison-Morton 170 (first issue); Norman 599 (first issue).

In 'The Descent of Man,' Charles Darwin applies evolutionary theory to human evolution, and details his theory of sexual selection.