[SCIENCE] [NATURAL SELECTION] THE FOUNDATIONS OF THE ORIGIN OF SPECIES: TWO ESSAYS WRITTEN IN 1842 AND 1844

An attractive First Edition of this fore-runner of one of the most important books of the 19th century.~~Two essays written in 1842 and 1844, in which Darwin’s theory of natural selection is first considered; the 1842 essay was published earlier that year, but this is the first appearance in print of the 1844 essay, and thus the first appearance of the two essays together. Of note is that "[t]he sketch of 1844 bears, on the whole a striking resemblance to the origin of species . even some of the sentences are identical." [DNB, Vol. V (1917), p. 526] Darwin himself provides evidence of the high estimate he had formed of the sketch: "A letter exists, addressed to his wife, in which he made provision, in case of his death, for the publication of the manuscript . stating that he believes his conclusions to be ‘a considerable step in science’" [ibid.]~~Large Octavo; in the publisher’s green buckram binding with spine lettered in gilt and beveled edges; xxix, [1]. 263 pages including the Index; top edge gilt with other edges rough-cut; there is a small and neatly penned name on the front endpaper; with photogravure portrait frontispiece, protected with a tissue guard and a facsimile; the spine is just a bit darkened; a previous owner’s signature on the front pastedown. ~~~ (DNB , Vol V, (1917), p. 527). Very Good binding.…