Books

London: John Murray 1871. 8vo. Original dark green cloth binding (spine of Volume II slightly defective; back cover creased). Spines gilt titled. With numerous illustrations. Some occasional foxing. 1st edition 2nd issue complete with both half-titles and with advertisements at end of both volumes dated January 1871. Previous owners name stamp on half title-pages. Front hinge of Volume II weak but holding. NOTE: Charles Darwin (1809-82) author of The Origin of Species popularised the concept of evolution. He also set out the principles of the Natural Selection as its underlying method a doctrine which rejected for many years has now been largely accepted in the light of a modern understanding of genetics. He was one of the most influential thinkers of his time. This work published in 1871 found harsher critics and thus sold fewer copies than Darwin's first book The Origin of Species (1859). Victorian society found Darwin's theory of Natural Selection too difficult to swallow. The Victorians preferred the image of the 'ladder of improvement' versus the random branching of Darwin's tree. By the middle of the twentieth century his theories of Natural Selection were accepted and proved correct thus enhancing the significance and importance of this first edition.

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