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The Descent of Man and Selection in Relation to Sex
Charles Darwin
1871
John Murray : London
7" by 5"
viii, [1], 2-423; viii, [3], 2-475pp
SUMMARY
A first edition, first issue set of this famous work regarding evolutionary theory in the context of humans, by eminent Victorian naturalist Charles Darwin.
First Edition,Illustrated,Rebound
Overall Condition: Good
This book weighs 2 KG when packed
Australia Postage: £ Free
UK Postage: £ 3.99
US Postage: £ 29.99
EU Postage: £ 21.99
European Postage: £ 23.99
Asia Postage: £ 37.99
Worldwide Postage: £ 38.99
DESCRIPTION
The 'Descent of Man' was the first of Charles Darwin's works to use the word 'evolution' and this can be found to page 2 of the first volume. It next appeared in Darwin's sixth edition of 'Origin' published in the following year.
This work continues on the principles laid out in Darwin's 'On the Origin of Species' which served as an abstract of his theory. Here, Darwin applies his evolutionary theory to humans and proceeds to detail his theory of sexual selection. He also looks at evolutionary psychology, evolutionary ethics, race, sexes, and how evolutionary theory is relevant to society.
A harlequin set, with volume I in a half morocco binding with cloth covered boards, and volume II in library cloth.
Both volumes are the first edition, first issue, with the correct errata to the verso of title page to volume II, seventeen errata for volume I and eight for volume II. With the note to a leaf between i and x referring to 'a serious and unfortunate error'. To volume I page 297 starts with 'transmitted' and contains misprints such as 'kaola' to page 27.
This first volume is very scarce as only 2500 copies of this issue were printed.
Collated, both volumes have been rebound without the half-titles and publisher's adverts.
Ex-library copies, with institutional stamps to the recto and verso of title pages only, for the 'National Central Library London'. To the recto of front endpaper to volume II there is also a stamp for 'British Library, Boston Spa, Yorkshire'.
Illustrated, with several in-text illustrations.
A scarce opportunity to own a copy of the first edition, first impression of this important scientific work.
CONDITION
A harlequin set. With volume I in a half morocco binding with cloth covered boards, and volume II in library cloth. Blind stamp to the board of volume I for London Library, St James's Square. Externally, volume I is worn, with heavy rubbing to the extremities and joints. Volume II is generally smart with two library stickers to the front board. Front joint to volume I is tender, with the hinge detached resulting in the lifting of the backstrip. A few small chips to the preliminaries of volume I. With library stamps to the endpapers and title pages of both volumes. Loss to the front pastedown and endpaper of volume I. Internally, both volumes are firmly bound. Pages are generally bright. The odd spots to pages, mostly to volume I which has the occasional ink blot to margins. A good candidate for a rebind.
Overall Condition: Good
Please note that due to different condition ratings used by eBay Australia,
the condition rating at the head of the listing will always be rated as 'Good'
Please see the 'Overall Condition' above for the correct rating for this work.
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
Overall Condition
Fine - Very well preserved copy showing very little wear
Very Good Indeed - Only one or two minor faults, really a very attractive copy
Very Good - Quite a wide term meaning no major faults but probably several smaller ones
often expected given the age of the book, but still a respectable copy
Good - Meaning not very good. Some more serious faults as will
be described in the condition report under 'condition'
Good Only - Meaning one or more faults that could really do with repair
Fair - As with good only above but with other faults
leaving a compromised copy even after repair
Poor - Really bad and possibly seriously incomplete.
We only sell books in this condition where their rarity or value makes them
attractive none the less. Major defects will be described.
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