Books

John Murray, UK, 1871. 1st Edition. Hardcover. Near Fine/No Jacket. London: John Murray, 1871, 1871. 2 volumes, octavo. Original green cloth, titles to spines gilt, sides with panels blocked in blind, blue coated endpapers. The covers are in good condition and very secure - both spines have been professionally rebacked. Gilt nice and bright. There is a scuffing to the covers and the corners are a bit bumped, but with very little loss - a quite presentable set. The bindings are very tight and square having been repaired, strengthened and re-cased. Internally both volumes are very good indeed. The endpapers have been expertly reinforced with matching period paper - something that could well be missed without careful scrutiny. Previous owner name and notes, in light pencil, to the verso of the half-title (which could be easily erased). Some foxing to first and last few leaves of each volume, but the text pages are clean and bright throughout, with very little foxing that I can see and…

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.