DARWIN (CHARLES)The Descent of Man and Selection in Relation to Sex, 2 vol., FIRST EDITION, FIRST ISSUE, with page 297 of volume 1 beginning "transmitted", volume 2 with errata on verso of title and tipped-in 'Postscript' leaf, and advertisement leaves in both volumes dated "January 1871", half-titles, wood-engraved illustrations, a couple of pencil notes/responses to the text and passages marked in margins by an early reader in volume 1, publisher's green cloth gilt, worn, old printed label of "George Bubb. (Successor to J. Andrews), Bookseller and Librarian..." on upper cover of volume 1 (with signs of removal of similar from volume 2), hinges of volume 1 cracked with stitching split resulting in text block being detached and some gatherings coming loose, upper hinge of volume 2 starting, worn, hinges split, small tear to foot of one joint [Garrison-Morton 170; Freeman 937; Norman 599], 8vo, John Murray 1871FootnotesFIRST EDITION - THE PITT-RIVERS COPY. "This is really two works. The first demolished the theory that the universe was created for Man, while in the second Darwin presented a mass of evidence in support of his earlier hypothesis regarding sexual selection" (Garrison & Morton 170). 2,500 copies of the first issue were published on February 24 1871, and sold at £1.4s. The second issue was published the following month.
Provenance: Augustus Lane Fox Pitt-Rivers (1827-1900), ownership inscription ("A. Lane Fox") on front free endpaper of volume 1, and half-title of volume 2, armorial bookplate ("Lieut-General Fox Pitt-Rivers") in both volumes. For Pitt-Rivers, the influential anthropologist and archaeologist who gave his collections to Oxford University where they form the core of the Pitt Rivers Museum, the "publication of Darwin's On the Origin of Species in 1859 marked a major turning point" in his approach to his ethnographic collections which he now used "to illustrate his theory of the evolution of culture, which he developed by analogy to Herbert Spencer's social Darwinism... [an approach which resulted in Pitt-Rivers achieving] more than anyone in his generation to promote the establishment of a sound chronology for British archaeology" (ODNB).
According to the present owner the book was then in the possession of Lionel Charles Lane Fox, Augustus' fourth son, and his first wife Nesta Mary, nee Blackett, who gifted this set (and other books) to her nephew, the current owner's grandfather. This copy has a few passages marked in margins, and three notes by an early reader, including "Of course according to Mr. Darwin & Co. Christianity has had nothing to do with the advance of morality?".Additional informationAuction informationBuyers Premium and ChargesFor all Sales categories, buyer's premium excluding Cars, Motorbikes, Wine, Whisky and Coin & Medal sales, will be as follows:Buyer's Premium Rates
28% on the first £40,000 of the hammer price;
27% of the hammer price of amounts in excess of £40,000 up to and including £800,000;
21% of the hammer price of amounts in excess of £800,000 up to and including £4,500,000;
and 14.5% of the hammer price of any amounts in excess of £4,500,000.VAT at the current rate of 20% will be added to the Buyer's Premium and charges excluding Artists Resale Right.Buyers' ObligationsALL BIDDERS MUST AGREE THAT THEY HAVE READ AND UNDERSTOOD BONHAMS' CONDITIONS OF SALE AND AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THEM, AND AGREE TO PAY THE BUYER'S PREMIUM AND ANY OTHER CHARGES MENTIONED IN THE NOTICE TO BIDDERS. THIS AFFECTS THE BIDDERS LEGAL RIGHTS.If you have any complaints or questions about the Conditions of Sale, please contact your nearest customer services team.Payment NoticesFor payment information please refer to the sale catalog.Shipping NoticesFor information and estimates on domestic and international shipping as well as export licences please contact Bonhams Shipping Department.Lot Symbols•Exempt from VATZero rated for VAT, no VAT will be added to the Hammer Price or the Buyer's Premium.Related DepartmentsBooks & ManuscriptsAuction ViewingsLondon, Knightsbridge18 June 2023, 11:00 - 15:00 BST19 June 2023, 09:00 - 17:00 BST20 June 2023, 09:00 - 17:00 BST21 June 2023, 09:00 - 10:00 BSTConditions of SaleView Conditions of Sale
DARWIN (CHARLES)The Descent of Man and Selection in Relation to Sex, 2 vol., FIRST EDITION, FIRST ISSUE, with page 297 of volume 1 beginning "transmitted", volume 2 with errata on verso of title and tipped-in 'Postscript' leaf, and advertisement leaves in both volumes dated "January 1871", half-titles, wood-engraved illustrations, a couple of pencil notes/responses to the text and passages marked in margins by an early reader in volume 1, publisher's green cloth gilt, worn, old printed label of "George Bubb. (Successor to J. Andrews), Bookseller and Librarian..." on upper cover of volume 1 (with signs of removal of similar from volume 2), hinges of volume 1 cracked with stitching split resulting in text block being detached and some gatherings coming loose, upper hinge of volume 2 starting, worn, hinges split, small tear to foot of one joint [Garrison-Morton 170; Freeman 937; Norman 599], 8vo, John Murray 1871FootnotesFIRST EDITION - THE PITT-RIVERS COPY. "This is really two works. The first demolished the theory that the universe was created for Man, while in the second Darwin presented a mass of evidence in support of his earlier hypothesis regarding sexual selection" (Garrison & Morton 170). 2,500 copies of the first issue were published on February 24 1871, and sold at £1.4s. The second issue was published the following month.
Provenance: Augustus Lane Fox Pitt-Rivers (1827-1900), ownership inscription ("A. Lane Fox") on front free endpaper of volume 1, and half-title of volume 2, armorial bookplate ("Lieut-General Fox Pitt-Rivers") in both volumes. For Pitt-Rivers, the influential anthropologist and archaeologist who gave his collections to Oxford University where they form the core of the Pitt Rivers Museum, the "publication of Darwin's On the Origin of Species in 1859 marked a major turning point" in his approach to his ethnographic collections which he now used "to illustrate his theory of the evolution of culture, which he developed by analogy to Herbert Spencer's social Darwinism... [an approach which resulted in Pitt-Rivers achieving] more than anyone in his generation to promote the establishment of a sound chronology for British archaeology" (ODNB).
According to the present owner the book was then in the possession of Lionel Charles Lane Fox, Augustus' fourth son, and his first wife Nesta Mary, nee Blackett, who gifted this set (and other books) to her nephew, the current owner's grandfather. This copy has a few passages marked in margins, and three notes by an early reader, including "Of course according to Mr. Darwin & Co. Christianity has had nothing to do with the advance of morality?".Additional informationAuction informationBuyers Premium and ChargesFor all Sales categories, buyer's premium excluding Cars, Motorbikes, Wine, Whisky and Coin & Medal sales, will be as follows:Buyer's Premium Rates
28% on the first £40,000 of the hammer price;
27% of the hammer price of amounts in excess of £40,000 up to and including £800,000;
21% of the hammer price of amounts in excess of £800,000 up to and including £4,500,000;
and 14.5% of the hammer price of any amounts in excess of £4,500,000.VAT at the current rate of 20% will be added to the Buyer's Premium and charges excluding Artists Resale Right.Buyers' ObligationsALL BIDDERS MUST AGREE THAT THEY HAVE READ AND UNDERSTOOD BONHAMS' CONDITIONS OF SALE AND AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THEM, AND AGREE TO PAY THE BUYER'S PREMIUM AND ANY OTHER CHARGES MENTIONED IN THE NOTICE TO BIDDERS. THIS AFFECTS THE BIDDERS LEGAL RIGHTS.If you have any complaints or questions about the Conditions of Sale, please contact your nearest customer services team.Payment NoticesFor payment information please refer to the sale catalog.Shipping NoticesFor information and estimates on domestic and international shipping as well as export licences please contact Bonhams Shipping Department.Lot Symbols•Exempt from VATZero rated for VAT, no VAT will be added to the Hammer Price or the Buyer's Premium.Related DepartmentsBooks & ManuscriptsAuction ViewingsLondon, Knightsbridge18 June 2023, 11:00 - 15:00 BST19 June 2023, 09:00 - 17:00 BST20 June 2023, 09:00 - 17:00 BST21 June 2023, 09:00 - 10:00 BSTConditions of SaleView Conditions of Sale
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