Books

New York: Harper & Brothers, 1846. First American edition. Very Good. Two volumes; small octavo (175 mm.). [6, blank], vii, [1, blank], 351, [7, blank]; [4, blank], 323, [12, ads] pages. Publisher's brown cloth, boards decoratively ruled in blind, front boards with gilt central "passing the torch" motif, rear boards with this motif in blind, spines lettered in gilt. Untrimmed copy showing light wear and aging. FIRST AMERICAN EDITION of Darwin’s first published book and his own account of the Beagle’s voyage which describes his observations that ultimately laid the foundation to the publication of his major scientific work On the Origin of Species. “The voyage of the Beagle has been by far the most important event in my life, and has determined my whole career...I have always felt that I owe to the voyage the first real training or education of my mind; I was led to attend closely to several branches of natural history, and thus my powers of observation were improved” (Life…

An in-depth narrative of Charles Darwin's landmark journey on the H.M.S. Beagle, where he conducted research that led to groundbreaking theories in natural history and geology.

The first edition title page states 'Henry Colburn' as the publisher.