Lot 272
  • 272

Darwin, Charles

Estimate
7,000 - 9,000 GBP
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Description

  • Darwin, Charles
  • On the Origin of Species by means of natural selection, or the preservation of favoured races in the struggle for life. John Murray, 1866
  • Darwin, Charles
  • Printed Book
8vo, fourth edition ("eighth thousand"), FROM THE LIBRARY OF CHARLES KINGSLEY, presentation copy from the author ("From the author" in clerk's hand on verso of front free endpaper), half-title, folding lithographed plate, OCCASIONAL MARGINAL ANNOTATIONS BY KINGSLEY, printed extracts from Kingsley and Darwin's correspondence laid down to final pages, original green blind-stamped cloth (Freeman's binding variant b) with binder's label of Edmonds & Remnants on lower fixed endpaper, occasional light spotting, some gatherings or leaves loose but present, recased preserving original spine, lower hinge splitting

Provenance

Charles Kingsley, bookplate

Literature

Freeman 385; Grolier Club, Darwin (2004), p. 21

Condition

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Catalogue Note

Before publication Darwin sent copies of On the Origin of Species to a number of selected recipients whose views might influence a favourable reception. Charles Kingsley was one such recipient and, despite his religious background, he wrote to Darwin in the most effusive manner: "All I have seen of it awes me; both with the heap of facts and the prestige of your name, and also with the clear intuition, that if you be right, I must give up much that I have believed and written. In that I care little. Let God be true, and every man a liar! Let us know what is..."