Books

London: John Murray, 1871. First edition. Leather. Good. 7" by 5". None. A first edition, first issue set of this famous work regarding evolutionary theory in the context of humans, by eminent Victorian naturalist Charles Darwin. The 'Descent of Man' was the first of Charles Darwin's works to use the word 'evolution' and this can be found to page 2 of the first volume. It next appeared in Darwin's sixth edition of 'Origin' published in the following year. This work continues on the principles laid out in Darwin's 'On the Origin of Species' which served as an abstract of his theory. Here, Darwin applies his evolutionary theory to humans and proceeds to detail his theory of sexual selection. He also looks at evolutionary psychology, evolutionary ethics, race, sexes, and how evolutionary theory is relevant to society. A harlequin set, with volume I in a half morocco binding with cloth covered boards, and volume II in library cloth. Both volumes are the first edition,…

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.