New York, D. Appleton & Co. (v) [518 pp.] illus., 20 cm. Fully bound in gorgeous contemporary amber pigmented calfskin. Gilt-lettered, burgundy morocco title plate on upper spine. 5 raised bands. 6 compartments. 

Profusely detailed, gilt-etched decorative flourishes and borders within compartments and on boards. 

Gilt tooling along board edges and embossed borders on inner boards. Tight binding and solid boards. 

Moderate shelf wear. Slight rubbing to boards. Discoloration around edges. Minor scuffing to spine. Gilt has faded at points. Loss to small portion of upper spine. Minimal bumping to corner. Slight scuffing to board edges. Speckled page ends. Multicolored, speckled endpapers. Minor loosening, cracking at gutters. 

Black and white, steel-plate engraved illustration entitled "The First Man" adjacent to title page and protected with tissue guard. Various additional illustrations throughout, including charts and diagrams of prehistoric life-forms and landscapes. A well cared for volume in very good condition.

While the majority of copies produced by D. Appleton are bound in blue cloth and far more common, the leather bound edition of the same date is extremely rare. This landmark book would make an exceptional addition to the library of any scholar or geology enthusiast.