Darwin Karol (6 results)

Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. 8vo (24 cm), [4], II, 412, XVIII pp. Contemporary cloth-backed marbled boards (binding rubbed, with a small loss to the marbled paper at the tail of the front board, endpapers somewhat stained, a number written in blue pencil on the front free endpaper, light toning throughout the text). The first Polish edition of Charles Darwin's celebrated travel narrative, originally published in English as "Journal of Researches into the Geology and Natural History of the Various Countries Visited by H.M.S. Beagle" and later known as "The Voyage of the Beagle". This work presents Darwin's observations and scientific reflections made during the historic 1831-1836 voyage of the Beagle, documenting his studies in geology, zoology, botany, and ethnography across South America, the Galápagos Islands, and other regions--research that proved foundational for the later development of his theory of evolution by natural selection. Translated into Polish by Józef Nusbaum from the 1884 English edition, this publication represents an important milestone in the reception of Darwinian thought in Poland and remains a key text in the history of nineteenth-century science and exploration.

Lwów, Ksiegarnia Polska, 1875-1876. 8vo. In contemporary half cloth with gilt lettering to spine. Previous owner's stamp and another owner's sginature to title-page. Light wear to extremities, otherwise a fine and clean set. 262, (2)" 313, (3) pp. Rare first Polish edition of the second and third parts of the Descent of Man, but published separate from the first part, as one work, hence the title 'Sexual Selection', a translation authorised by Darwin in response to Malowski's request to make the translation (Letter 8910, 14 May 1873). Whereas "Origin of Species" established Darwinism as a turning point in nineteenth-century biology "The Descent of Man" helped built a bridge between biology, the social sciences, and the humanities and made Darwinism a broad system of research designs, theoretical principles, and philosophical outlook.The numeration of parts is from Chapter I to Chapter VI (vol. I) and from Chapter VII to Chapter XIV (vol. II). It is generally based on the first English edition (1871) but at the end of vol. II the Polish publisher has added the short note on the brains of man and apes of T. H. Huxley, which was originally published in the second English edition (1874). "It was translated into Danish, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Polish, Russian and Swedish in Darwin's lifetime and into ten further languages since." Freeman.Maslowski (1847-1928) studied medicine and natural sciences in Paris before returning to Poland, where he took part in the January Uprising: he remained active in politics, primarily as a journalist. At first an ardent Darwinian, he later became a fierce opponent.Not in FreemanDarwin Online: F1101b.1, F1101b.2.OCLC locates four copies worldwide (Cornell Univ., Huntington Libr., Yale Univ. Libr., National Library of Poland,).

Warszawa, 1887. 4to. In contemporary half calf with gilt lettering to spine and four raised bands. Spine with wear and top right corner (3 x 5 cm) of title-page lacking, not affecting text. Internally fine and clean. (4), II, 412, XVIII pp. Extremely rare first Polish translation of Darwin?s Journal of Researches: "His first published book is undoubtedly the most often read and stands second only to ?On the origin of Species? as the most often printed. It is an important travel book in its own right and its relation to the background of his evolutionary ideas has often been stressed."(Freeman p. 31).Freeman 223.

Warszawa, Wydawnictwo Przegladu Tygodniowego, 1891. 4to. In contemporary half calf with gilt lettering to spine and four raised bands. Spine with wear and top right corner (3 x 5 cm) of title-page lacking, not affecting text. Internally fine and clean. (4), 446, (2) pp. Rare first edition of the first Polish translation of Darwin's autobiography.Freeman 1529.

Warszawa, Wydawnictwo Przegladu Tygodnio, 1888-1889. Large8vo. In two uniform contemporary half calf bindings with four raised bands and gilt lettering to spine. Top right corner (app. 3 x 5 cm) of both title pages cut off" volume 1 not affecting text, volume 2 missing the n in 'Darwin'. Light wear to extremities, otherwise a fine set. (2), X, 11-357, III" (2), 379, IV, VIII, V pp. Rare first Polish translation of Darwin's extensive work 'The Variation of Animals and Plants under Domestication'. It is the longest work and, being so detailed, was never a very successful one, selling only about five thousand copies in his life time and eight before the end of the century" (R.B. Freeman). Freeman 922.

Warszawa, Przegladu Tygodniowego, 1884. Large8vo. In contemporary half calf. Spine with wear, lacking the upper 1 cm. Small stamp to title-page. Hindges weak and back board detached from bookblock. Verso of title-page and first leaf on content. 437, (1), XVI [Including the plate] pp. First edition of the first full Polish translation of Darwin's "Origin of Species". An attempt to publish a Polish translation was made as early as 1873. This was, however, never completed and only half of the work was published (Freeman 739), thus making the present copy the very first full Polish translation. As seen in several other countries (especially in Japan) the majority of Polish intellectuals adopted a Social Darwinism perspective at a very early stage, rather than appreciating the English naturalist's caution in applying his ideas to human society."Before the first translations of Darwin's appeared [.], many Polish intellectuals, such as positivist writer Eliza Orzeszkowa (1841-1910) complained about the increasing confusion over the essence of the English naturalist's ideas, which had all too often been mixed up with all sorts of ideological debates. However, when Darwin's books were actually available in Polish translations, the novelty of his concepts gradually wore off, making room for more serious attempts to come to terms with evolutionary theory." (Glick, The Reception of Charles Darwin in Europe). "It appears that the struggle for or against Darwinism in partitioned Poland prefigured a pattern that is relevant for Polish thinking up to the present day: the conflict of striving for progress with the help of powerful allies abroad and of virulently rejecting all foreign advice for fear of losing one's cultural identity." (Ibid.).Translation was begun by Szymon Dickstein who in the processe of the translation committed suicide. It was completed by Józef Nusbaum who also translated 'The Variation of Animals and Plants under Domestication' in 1888.Freeman 740.