Charles Darwin – On the Origin of Species
London: John Murray, 1859. First edition, first issue.
A cornerstone of scientific thought and one of the most influential books ever published, Charles Darwin’s On the Origin of Species revolutionized our understanding of life on Earth. This first edition, first issue is complete with Murray’s advertisements at the rear, dated June 1859, containing numerous typographical errors that confirm its priority.
The text retains key first-issue points, including the misprint of “species” for “specie” on page 20 and the full, later-removed whale-bear anecdote on page 184. The folding chart on page 117 is intact, with only a minor chip at the top left. The title page bears light foxing, and the first few leaves have undergone careful gutter repairs. The volume has been recased in a slightly later binding with renewed endpapers, presenting clean and bright pages that do justice to its monumental content.
A Remarkable Association Copy
Included with this book is an autograph letter signed by Charles Darwin, dated December 4, 1865, in which Darwin acknowledges a substantial payment from his property manager. Citing his chronic illness, he declines to receive the funds himself and requests that his wife accept them instead. This letter offers a rare, personal glimpse into Darwin’s fragile health—likely exacerbated by the intense scrutiny and controversy surrounding his work.
Adding to the historical depth of this offering is a cut signature of Captain Robert FitzRoy, the commander of HMS Beagle, under whom Darwin famously served during the voyage that inspired his evolutionary theory. FitzRoy later became a vehement critic of Darwin’s conclusions, publishing writings that sought to discredit On the Origin of Species. Their complex relationship underscores the intellectual and ideological battles sparked by Darwin’s groundbreaking work.
A landmark first edition housed in a custom archival book box, uniting the text that changed the world with rare artifacts of its author and his fiercest adversary.
