Books

London: John Murray. 1860. The first issue of the second, definitive, edition of Darwin's first published book. The first issue of the second, definitive, edition of Darwin's first published book. Tenth Thousand. Crown 8vo. Original green cloth with blind-stamped ornamental design to front and rear panels. Lettered, ruled, and with ornaments in gilt to the spine. 32 pp. of publisher's advertisements dated "December, 1861" bound in at the rear (Freeman notes that the inserted adverts in this edition "may be as late as September 1868"). Illustrated with 11 black and white wood engravings and diagrams throughout the text. All edges untrimmed. A very good copy, the binding square and firm with minor abrasion, rubbing, and some nicking to spine tips and mild fraying to the outer hinges, the lower portions of the gilt ruling a little worn. Front inner hinge partially cracked, but holding. The contents, with a previous owner's bookplate to front pastedown, a faded ink…

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.