DARWIN, Charles. L'origine des especes Paris: Guillaumin et Cie, Libraires-Editeurs, et, Victor Masson et Fils, Libraires-Editeurs, 1862. Paris: Guillaumin et Cie, Libraires-Editeurs et, Victor Masson et Fils, Libraires-Editeurs, 1862. Thick octavo, 712pp. First edition in French of Darwin’s great work, translated by Clemence Royer, whom Darwin called "one of the cleverest and oddest women in Europe," lamenting only that he could have wished she’d known a bit more about biology. Royer was an extraordinary figure. An early feminist, she "made lifelong enemies almost as readily as she made friends"; for her diverse work in anthropology, physics, philosophy, cosmology and chemistry, she would eventually be awarded the French Legion of Honor and admission to numerous learned societies in spite of the fact that she was virtually an autodidact. A very good copy in a very bad modern binding of half Spanish calf, uncut, however, and including the publisher’s printed front wrap. On balance, a worthy copy (and one that can become worthier still with an appropriate binding) of a rare and important edition of one of the greatest scientific works of all time.

• Category: Extraordinary Books, Manuscripts & Art
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• Language: Englisch
• Inventory number: 12542LB

Our price: USD 6,500.00