The Descent of Man, and Selection in Relation to Sex

London: John Murray, 1871. First Edition. First edition, second issue. (Page height is 19 cm; p. 297 of Vol. I begins "When" rather than "transmitted"; list of nine titles on verso of title page in Vol. 2 rather than errata. Ads in both volumes dated January, 1871. [Freeman 938.]) Two volumes. viii, 423, [1] + 16 ads; viii, 475, [1] + 16 ads pp. Wood engravings in the text. Original green cloth, spines lettered in gilt, brown endpapers. Very Good, with cloth rubbed along edges, bumped corners, light occasional foxing to text, hinges cracked but holding. Small edge chip to rear endpaper of Vol. 1. Both paste downs sport the large armorial bookplates of Charles Drury Edward Fortnum, English art collector and historian, known as a benefactor of the University of Oxford. Ink ownership signatures of Margaret T. Aris to half-titles. A nice example of Darwin's seminal work on evolution, extending his earlier hypotheses on the creation of species to include humanity. (Inventory #: 140939144)