DARWIN, CHARLES. 1809-1882.

DARWIN, CHARLES. 1809-1882.
On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection. New York: D. Appleton & Company, 1860.
8vo (196 x 123 mm). Folding lithographed diagram. Publisher's blind-stamped brown cloth, gilt title on spine, brown coated endpapers. Custom half morocco folding case. Slightly rubbed, contemporary newspaper review tipped in at back, slight warping of pages. Slight darkening to spine, light rubbing to spine ends.
Provenance: Property of Nicole and William M. Keck II; John Peter Lesley (1910-1903), prominent 19th century geologist (bookplate to front paste-down and ownership inscription on free front endpaper).

FIRST AMERICAN EDITION, with two quotations on verso of half-title. Noting the Origin of Species' dramatic impact in Britain in November of 1859, American scientist Asa Gray was eager to bring Darwin's book to the American public as soon as possible and began to arrange its publication in Boston in 1860. However, the New York firm of Appleton had beat him to it by mid-January, printing the first American appearance. Freeman 377.