Books

London: John Murray, 1861. A very early issuance and only the third edition (seventh thousand of the title, with important additions and corrections] of Darwin's monumental work. This edition is printed in the same format and binding as the first edition, and includes "An Historical Sketch of the Recent Progress of Opinion on the Origin of Species" in which Darwin acknowledges his fellow scientists as regards the theory of evolution, as well as a table of corrections to the first and second editions. Two-thousand copies only were printed and issued in April 1861. Folding lithographed diagram by W. West. Quarto in 12's (7 3/4" x 5 7/8", 193mm x 124mm), publisher's original green cloth, gilt decorated on the spine and blocked in blind on the covers, salmon glazed paper end-leaves with the binders Edmonds & Remnants ticket on the rear paste-down. Housed in a handsome morocco labeled slipcase with chemise. i-v vi-xix, 538, [2] ads. and with one folding plate. A very fresh…

"On the Origin of Species" is a pivotal scientific work by Charles Darwin, published in 1859. In this seminal book, Darwin proposed the theory of evolution through natural selection, reshaping humanity's understanding of the natural world. He presented a comprehensive argument supported by extensive observations and evidence from various fields, discussing the gradual modification of species over time. Darwin's central idea was that all species of organisms evolved from common ancestors and that the mechanism driving this evolution was natural selection. He argued that within populations, organisms exhibit variations, and those better adapted to their environment have a higher chance of surviving and passing on their advantageous traits to future generations. Over successive generations, these advantageous traits accumulate, leading to the divergence of species and the formation of new ones. Darwin drew upon diverse scientific disciplines, including geology, paleontology, embryology, and anatomy, to support his theory. He detailed examples from nature, such as the diversity of finches in the Galápagos Islands and artificial selection in domesticated animals, to illustrate his points. The book triggered widespread debate, challenging prevailing religious and scientific beliefs about the origin and diversity of life. While controversial at the time, "On the Origin of Species" laid the groundwork for modern evolutionary biology. Its profound impact continues to shape scientific inquiry, influencing fields ranging from genetics to ecology and sparking ongoing discussions about life's interconnectedness and the processes that drive biological diversity.