Fine Books & Manuscripts

DARWIN, Charles (1809–1882). The Variation of Animals and Plants Under Domestication. London: John Murray, 1868. 2 volumes. Demy 8vo. [1 blank], viii, [1]–411 pp., [1], [1 blank]; [1 blank], viii, [1]–486 pp., [1 blank]; lacking advertisements in both volumes but as Freeman states “by no means always” ads. in Vol. I. FIRST EDITION, second issue with the verso of the title leaf in Vol. II listing nine other works by Darwin and no errata. Illustrations in Volume I. Finely rebound in early polished calf framed in gilt tooling, raised bands with gilt stippling, elaborate gilt scrollwork in compartments, two morocco spine labels in compartments gilt lettered, fore edges gilt rolled, gilt dentelle turn-ins, top edge gilt, marbled endpapers (small modern label affixed to both vols. rear pastedowns, title starting in Vol. II). Provenance: bookplate of the American businessman, iron mogul, and politician, Erastus Corning in both volumes. A SUPERB SET. Freeman 878. "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 silkworms. 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, F. Darwin, editor, NY, 1958, p. 281).