Books

Sixth edition with additions and corrections to 1890. Thrity ninth thousand printing of the first edition. BOOK DESCRIPTION: Original green cloth, xxi, 432pp, folding diagram. Freeman ref: F436 CONDITION: FINE. The original binding has not been restored and remains in excellent condition, with minor shelf-wear only to the covers. No nicks to the cloth of the spine. Gilt nice and bright. Original endpapers not cracked. Text generally very clean. Minor foxing spots to page edges (see photos). An excellent unrestored copy - highly desirable - having a solid binding and no previous ownership marks or inks. The sixth is generally held to be the last significant edition, containing as it does Darwin's final major corrections and revisions. Published in 1872, it is the first edition with the title The Origin of Species, and includes among many other revisions a new chapter (VII) inserted to refute the views of the Catholic biologist St. George Mivart. There is a glossary, and the word 'evolution' is used in the text for the first time. An attractive and desirable copy of the 'most important scientific work of the 19th century' (Horblit) and 'the most important biological book ever written' (Freeman).

"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.