Darwin, Charles Journal of Researches into the Geology and Natural History of the Various Countries

Darwin, Charles Journal of Researches into the Geology and Natural History of the Various Countries visited by H. M. S. Beagle under the Command of Captain Fitzroy, R.N. from 1832 to 1836. London: Henry Colburn, 1839. 8vo, [5] viii-xiv 629 pp., original vertical-ribbed purple cloth, spine lettered in gilt, covers decoratively stamped in blind, half-title, 2 engraved folding maps ('The Southern Portion of South America' and 'Keeling Islands'), wood-engraved illustrations in text, publisher's 16 pp. catalogue dated August 1839 bound in at rear, additional slip tipped to final page of catalogue advertising further titles by Darwin. Cloth unevenly sunned, nicks to spine ends, very small tear to middle compartment and small ink-mark to foot, a few bumps to extremities, front inner hinge cracked, spotting to early leaves, first map slightly offset, second map spotted and with closed handling tear extending into frame only. Housed in a custom green quarter morocco solander box by the Chelsea Bindery [Freeman 11 binding variant b] Qty: (1) Note: First edition, first separate issue and the second overall, of Darwin's first published book. It originally appeared as the third volume of The Narrative of the Voyages of H.M.S. Adventure and Beagle early the same year; the present issue uses the same sheets but has a cancel title-page and the volume-title (pp. [v-vi]) is discarded. Copies are also found in blue cloth; occasionally the two maps are loose in an end-pocket rather than inserted into the text. Provenance: 'Thomas Mainwaring Bulkeley Owen, the gift of his father, Nov 15th 1839' (inscription to front free endpaper); Christie's, Valuable Books and Manuscripts, 14th November 2007, lot 90.