Beschreibung:

The Descent of Man, and Selection in Relation to Sex. London: John Murray 1871. 2 volumes. 8vo (184 x 120 mm). viii, 423, [1], 16 [adverts]; viii, [2], 475, [1], 16 [adverts dated January, 1871] pp. Illustrated. Original green cloth, spine stamped in gilt, edges trimmed; custom cloth chemise and green morocco-backed slipcase. A few faint spots mainly to preliminary and final leaves of first volume, ownership signature to second volume, volume 1 with rear hinge partially cracked before endpapers, spines somewhat darkened, head and tail of spine, corners and joints lightly rubbed, excellent copy overall. Provenance: William Erasmus Darwin, son of Charles Darwin (bookplate in each volume). FIRST EDITION, PRESENTATION COPY TO DARWIN'S SON. Presentation issue with edges trimmed, "transmitted" first word in vol I, p 297, errata on verso of second volume title. Includes the first appearance of the word "evolution" in Darwin's works. William Erasmus Darwin wrote to his father on February 19, 1871 acknowledging receipt of the above work, mentioning: "It is a very neatly got up book, and I like the plain white edges. Please keep all reviews and letters about it till I have seen them. The reviews will be fine fun no doubt." Charles Darwin had favored machine-cut edges as they kept dust from collecting as much as they do as those cut with a paper knife. He wasn't able to convince his conservative publishers to have the edges cut on the regular edition, but was able to convince them to do so on the presentation copies. Garrison & Morton 170; Freeman 937.