Darwin, Charles.

8vo (185 x 122mm.), 2 volumes, first edition, errata on verso of title of volume 2, half-titles, 76 wood-engraved illustrations in text (many with multiple figures), contemporary diced russia, spines gilt, paper flaw without loss to volume 1 Q4, small stain to lower edges of volume 2 H6-I2, some other very minor scattered soiling, bindings rather rubbed, inner hinges cracking 

J.H. Jackson, physician and Fellow of the Royal Society, signature on title-pages

Freeman 936

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, when 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."

First edition, true first issue of volume 1, previously known only in Darwin's own copy, now at Cambridge University Library (Department of Rare Books classmark CCA.24.38).

The title-page of the first volume of the present set - like Darwin's annotated copy - is dated 1870 and includes the following text setting and line-breaks: WITH ILLUSTRATIONS. / IN TWO VOLUMES. - VOL. I. As described in Freeman 937, the title-pages of the first volumes of all other recorded sets of The Descent of Man are dated 1871 and the relevant text is set with these line-breaks: IN TWO VOLUMES. - VOL. I / WITH ILLUSTRATIONS. In addition, while the versos of both issues of the title-page of the first volume contain a list of nine titles "by the same author," the order in which the titles appear differs between the "1870" issue and the "1871" issue.

With a single exception that underscores the primacy of the "1870" issue, the second volume of the present set conforms to the description of Freeman 937: this copy lacks the tipped-in leaf explaining "a serious and unfortunate error" affecting the text of pages 297-299 in volume 1 and pages 161 and 237 in volume 2. (Nor have the affected pages been reset, as they were for the second 1871 issue that did not include the then-irrelevant notice leaf; see Freeman 938).

Darwin's own copy of The Descent of Man was the only one that Freeman knew of with the 1870 date and variant title-page setting. He allows, however, that "It is known that Wallace received his complementary copy late in 1870, and other complimentaries may have gone out at the same time, so that other copies like Darwin's own may exist." This is, however, the only other first issue set to be identified.