On the Origin of Species | 1859, first edition, first issue, with an original signed “with Mr Charles Darwin’s compliments” slip.

A landmark in the history of human thought, and one of the rarest and most significant copies to appear on the market.

This is the first edition, first issue of On the Origin of Species, described by Horblit as “the most influential scientific work of the 19th century” and by Freeman as “certainly the most important biological book ever written.” In these pages, Darwin introduced the theory of evolution by natural selection, a revolutionary concept that transformed science, religion, and our understanding of life.

Only 1,250 copies of the first edition were printed, of which 500 were taken immediately by Mudie’s Circulating Library. First issue copies in original condition are scarce; those accompanied by original signed material from Darwin are exceptionally rare and highly sought after.

This copy retains the publisher’s original green cloth binding, with the Edmonds & Remnant binder’s ticket to the rear pastedown. It includes the 32-page publisher’s catalogue at the rear dated June 1859, confirming its first issue status, as well as the iconic folding lithographed diagram. Loosely inserted is an autograph slip signed in Darwin’s hand, reading “With Mr Charles Darwin’s Compliments”.

The beauty of this is that it takes an already exceptional first edition, first issue of Origin of Species and elevates it to a completely different level. It is rare enough to find a true first in excellent condition, but to have it accompanied by an original signed presentation slip from Darwin himself is almost unheard of. For me, it is the perfect fusion of book and autograph, the work and the hand of the man who changed science and mankind forever!

Provenance and condition:

• Octavo.

• Original diagonal-wave-grain green cloth, spine lettered in gilt, covers blocked in blind.

• Pale brown coated endpapers.

• Edmonds & Remnant binder’s ticket to rear pastedown.

• 32-page publisher’s catalogue at rear dated June 1859.

• Folding lithographed diagram present.

• Signed compliments slip from Darwin loosely inserted; fine condition.

• Light vertical crease to half-title and title.

• Skilful restoration to inner hinges.

• Minor rubbing to extremities.

• Pale mark from removed Mudie’s Circulating Library label.

• Early ownership inscription of L. Anderson Rice to front endpaper.

• Note of acquisition from Mudie’s (8s, Nov. 1860).

• Bookseller’s code (Dawson’s of London, 1970s) and later discreet library slip to rear pastedown.

• Housed in a green quarter morocco solander box by the Chelsea Bindery.

• An excellent example.