Milestones of Science Books

DARWIN, Charles.

Journal of Researches into Natural History and Geology of the Countries during the Voyage of H. M. S. Beagle round the World under the Command of Capt. Fitz Roy, R. N.

New York: Harper & Brothers, 1846.

2nd Edition. Hardcover. Very Good. Item #002638

Two volumes. 12mo (177 x 117 mm). vii [1], 351 [1]; v [2], 7-324, 8, 4 pp., including publisher's advertisement bound at end of second volume. Pages untrimmed. Bound in original publisher's blind-stamped brown cloth with gilt lettering to spine, front covers display pictorial design stamped in gold depicting hands passing torch. Slight wear and chipping of spine ends, corners bumped and scuffed, otherwise unusually well preserved. Text with just a little browning to outer margins and light scattered foxing. Provenance: A. Morehouse, inscribed on first flyleaf of first volume. A fine, unmarked and unsophisticated copy. ----

FIRST AMERICAN EDITION. Darwin's first important publication, heavily foreshadowing his later evolutionary writings. This N.Y. edition was issued as Harper's "New Miscellany" titles, Volumes X-XI. Initially published in London in 1839, both as part of the official report of the Beagle expedition and as a separate title. Thee advertisement to this edition says "In this work he [Darwin] has given, besides a narrative of the voyage, a sketch of his observations in natural history and geology, presented in such a manner as to possess most interest and value for the general reader, referring those who look for scientific details to the larger publications." Freeman 16; Darwin's Century 81 ("the rare first American edition"); Sabin 18647; Henze II, p.18-19.

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