A PICTURE BOOK OF EVOLUTION - Complete Set of two volumes: Part I (SIGNED & INSCRIBED by the author) & Part II (1906-7) - Part I: Containing Lessons from Astronomy, Geology, Zoology. Part II. Containing lessons from Comparative Anatomy and Embryology, and Giving the Pedigree of Man

Author of "An Easy Outline of Evolution," "The Believing Bishop," "Toddle Island," etc. Both volumes are the first impressions of the true first editions. Profusely illustrated in monochrome throughout with 182 figs. (Part I 1906, Part II 1907). ***Signed and inscribed by the author in sepia ink on the front free endpaper of Part I (the first volume): "'To Miss Hackney, with kindest greetings, Dennis Hird, 27 Sept. 1906, Oxford." ***A Picture Book of Evolution Part I (1906): Containing Lessons from Astronomy, Geology, Zoology. (Vol.I): Very good in dark green cloth-covered boards with gilt titles to the spine. Edges of boards and corners slightly rubbed and creased. Head and tail of spine rubbed. A few light surface marks to the boards. Internally, the gutter at title-page is split and weakened. Very light foxing to prelims and endpapers not affecting interior pages. A few sporadic small light notes and underlining in pencil (could be erased if so wished). 201 pages. 210mm x 136mm. ***Contents: Ch. I: Simple Examples, Ch. II: Astronomy; Ch III: Geology; Ch. IV: Zoology (To Mammals); Ch. V: Monkeys To Man; Ch. VI. An Outline of the Laws of Evolution. ***A Picture Book of Evolution Part II (1907): Containing lessons from Comparative Anatomy and Embryology, and Giving the Pedigree of Man: Very good in dark green cloth-covered boards with gilt titles to the spine. Some light marks to the back board. Edges of boards slightly rubbed. Corners of boards very slightly creased. Spine tight. Internally also very good. Black and white frontispiece of Charles Darwin's statue and black and white illustrations throughout (194 figs.) Pages clean. No inscriptions. Very light foxing to prelims and endpapers not affecting the interior pages. 214 pages. 210mm x 136mm. ***Contents: Introduction, Ch. I: Preliminary Points; Ch. II.: Comparative Anatomy; Ch. III: Embryology and Rudiments; Ch. IV.: Pedigree of Man; Ch. V.: The Discovery of Evolution. ***'When "An Easy Outline of Evolution" was published, I was invited to produce a still simpler statement of the discovery of Evolution. Since then I have prepared six lantern lectures on the subject. In the two parts of this Picture Book all the slides of the lantern lectures are produced, and some new pictures have been added. Many additional facts are also given. It should be distinctly borne in mind that this Picture Book is for those who have not read any statement of the doctrine of Evolution.' (Quote taken from the introduction by the author in Part I) ***'I can only hope, as my book is merely a few first steps, that it may help some to read Darwin and Haeckel who otherwise might have found them too difficult.' (Quote taken from the introduction by the author to Part II, written at Bletchley, Bucks, November 12th, 1907) ***Dennis Hird, born in Ashby, Lincolnshire, 28 Jan 1850 - 13 Jul 1920, was a clergyman, educator and author. He was an colourful Victorian figure and a member of the Socialist Educational Association, and in 1896 resigned his church. In 1899 he became the first principal of Ruskin College at Oxford University, later to be sacked in 1909 for his political views, which led to a students' strike. ***The first impression of the true first edition of the complete set of two volumes, in the original dark green cloth-covered boards, rare to find signed and inscribed by the author. ***For all our books, postage is charged at cost, allowing for packaging: any shipping rates indicated on ABE are an average only: we will reduce the P & P charge where appropriate - please contact us for postal rates for heavier books and sets etc. …