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180

Charles Darwin

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:NA Estimated At:15,000.00 - 17,000.00 USD
Charles Darwin

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Auction Date:2011 Jun 15 @ 18:00 (UTC-05:00 : EST/CDT)
Location:5 Rt 101A Suite 5, Amherst, New Hampshire, 03031, United States
ALS - Autograph Letter Signed
ANS - Autograph Note Signed
AQS - Autograph Quotation Signed
AMQS - Autograph Musical Quotation Signed
DS - Document Signed
FDC - First Day Cover
Inscribed - “Personalized”
ISP - Inscribed Signed Photograph
LS - Letter Signed
SP - Signed Photograph
TLS - Typed Letter Signed
English naturalist and author (1809–1882) whose book explaining his theories of evolution, On the Origin of the Species by Means of Natural Selection (1859), takes a place among the most influential texts in the history of scientific thought. ALS signed “Ch. Darwin,” three pages on two adjoining sheets, 4.5 x 7, no date, but circa 1868. A letter to his English publisher. In full: “They are printing my book in U. States in such hot haste they will not wait for stereotypes of the woodcuts; but I want them to have the reprint on account of corrections. Will you therefore please send by today’s post a copy in sheets, addressed to Prof. Asa Gray, Cambridge, Massachusetts, U. States. See the postage correct paid. Many thanks for several parcels & letters forwarded to me. I will call today or soon to speak about the little book ‘Fur Darwin’ — when I call I…like to hear about the sales of each of lat.[est] Edit. of Origin & new book.” In very good condition, with mounting remnant affixed to bottom of signed page, partial separation of hinge, scattered light toning and soiling, and a small area of paper loss to bottom right of both pages, lightly affecting a couple words of text.

This letter was written following the English publication of Variation of Animals Under Domestication—a ‘sequel’ to On the Origin of Species which included the bulk of Darwin’s manuscript for his original work. The naturalist had originally pared down his printed text to make his 1859 book more readable, with the follow-up containing much of the data to support his theory. The American publisher would not wait to fill requests from a hungry public for this sequel, as Darwin laments that “They are printing my book in U. States in such hot haste they will not wait for…the woodcuts; but I want them to have the reprint on account of corrections.”

Darwin’s letter also references one of his scientific contemporaries and greatest literary allies, Asa Gray, considered one of the most important American botanists of the 19th century. It was Gray who arranged for the first US edition of On the Origin of Species and negotiated royalties on Darwin's behalf. Once that first American copy was printed, Gray discussed a second edition with Darwin and debated on how to improve the book for the approval of American publishers. Asa Gray also had a hand in facilitating the American publication of Darwin’s sequel to The Origin, Variation of Animals Under Domestication and Darwin here asks his publisher to “please send by today’s post a copy in sheets, addressed to Prof. Asa Gray.”

Ironically, although Gray was a devout Presbyterian and had conflicting opinions with Darwin’s work and natural selection—thoughts that he would often share with Darwin—he was a constant help in pushing for their publication. This letter does not appear to be part of the Darwin Correspondence Project, an endeavor that carries the full texts of more than 6,000 Darwin’s letters. Extremely desirable correspondence as the naturalist discusses his landmark study on evolution.
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