The Variation of Animals and Plants Under Domestication, Charles Darwin
First edition, first issue of Darwin's sequel to On the Origin of Species and featuring his first published use of the term "survival of the fittest." Bound in the original, unrestored cloth. First issue points include the one line publisher's imprint at the spine heels, 5 errata on 6 lines in Vol. I, and 9 errata on 7 lines in Vol. II. Complete with 32 pages of ads dated April 1867 at rear of vol. I, 2 pages of ads dated February 1868 at rear of vol. II (as issued) and 43 in-text wood engravings.
London: John Murray, 1868. Publisher's original green cloth, ruled in blind with the spines lettered in gilt; pp. viii, 411, [1] + 32 ads; viii, 486 + [2 ads]. Both volumes in very good condition. Bindings remain sturdy, although a touch overopened at points. Light shelfwear to boards with minor fraying to corners and spine tips, with small piece of cloth missing from the heel of vol. 2. Covers a bit bowed. Owner's bookplate to front pastedowns, small closed tear to the last pages of vol. 2, a handful of minor smudges, else internally quite clean and fine. A presentable copy.