DARWIN, Charles Robert (1809-1882). The Variation of Animals and Plants under Domestication. London: John Murray, 1868.

DARWIN, Charles Robert (1809-1882). The Variation of Animals and Plants under Domestication. London: John Murray, 1868.

First edition, first issue of 'the only section of Darwin's big book on the origin of species which was printed in his lifetime' (Freeman p.122). Work on the book began two days after the second edition of the Origin appeared on 7 January 1860. Along with the ascertainable facts of artificial selection, it contained Darwin's hypothesis of pangenesis. Francis Darwin recorded that 'about half of the eight years that elapsed between its commencement and completion were spent on it. The book did not escape adverse criticism: it was said, for instance, that the public had been patiently waiting for Mr. Darwin's pièces justicatives, and that after eight years of expectation all they got was a mass of detail about pigeons, rabbits and silk worms. But the true critics welcomed it as an expansion with unrivalled wealth of illustration of a section of the Origin' (The Autobiography of Charles Darwin and Selected Letters, ed. F. Darwin, New York, 1958, p. 281). The slow progress towards publication was due not only to the book's size but the author's ill health. The first issue was finally published on 30 January 1868, in a run of 1500 copies. Freeman 877; Norman 217.

2 volumes, octavo (223 x 140mm). First edition, first issue with 5-line errata on p.vi of vol. 1 and 7-line errata on p.viii of vol. 2, 32pp. ads dated April 1867 at end of vol. 1, vol. 2 with 2pp. ads dated February 1868 (gathering F in vol. 1 slightly loose and proud of textblock, occasional scattered light spotting, heavier at beginning and ends of vols). Original green cloth, covers with blind frame, gilt spines (extremities faintly rubbed, corners fractionally bumped). Provenance: Frederick du Cane Godman (bookplates).

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