ID 870749
Lot 186 | DARWIN, Charles Robert (1809-1882)
Estimate value
£ 2 000 – 3 000
The Descent of Man, and Selection in Relation to Sex. London: John Murray, 1871.
First edition, first issue — the first appearance of the word ‘evolution’ in any of Darwin's works. The word 'evolution' appears on p.2 of the first volume, 'that is to say before its appearance in the sixth edition of the Origin of species in the following year' (Freeman p 129). Darwin's Descent of Man ‘caused a furor second only to that raised by the Origin’ (Norman). It argues for the common origins of all mankind, placing humans in the evolutionary scheme Darwin had outlined for the rest of the animal kingdom in On the Origin of Species. However, not all evolutionists shared this view — many, including Alfred Russel Wallace and Ernst Haeckel, argued for multiple origins of different human species. Science writer Richard Dawkins has noted that Darwin's supposition that the human species arose in Africa was ‘typically ahead of its time,’ and despite the strong social pressures to think otherwise, ‘he carefully considered and decisively rejected the idea ... that different human races should be regarded as separate species.’ Freeman 937; Garrison & Morton 170; Norman 599.
Two volumes, octavo (190 x 125 mm). Half-titles, numerous illustrations in text, 16 pp. ads at end of both vols dated January 1871 (light spotting to blanks before half-title of vol.2). Original green publisher's cloth (inner hinges of vol. I starting to crack, extremities faintly rubbed and corners bumped). Provenance: 'K.A.' (pencil inscription on black front free endpaper in vol. I dated '[18]71' presenting the book to illegible recipient) – occasional pencil annotations to margins.
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No VAT on hammer price or buyer's premium.
Artist: | Charles Robert Darwin (1809 - 1882) |
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Place of origin: | Northern Europe, Europe, United Kingdom |
Auction house category: | Printed books |
Artist: | Charles Robert Darwin (1809 - 1882) |
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Place of origin: | Northern Europe, Europe, United Kingdom |
Auction house category: | Printed books |
Address of auction |
CHRISTIE'S 8 King Street, St. James's SW1Y 6QT London United Kingdom | |
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Phone | +44 (0)20 7839 9060 | |
Buyer Premium | see on Website | |
Conditions of purchase | Conditions of purchase |
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