On the Origin of Species, Charles Darwin
Fifth edition of "the most important biological book ever written" (Freeman) and the first edition to contain the expression "survival of the fittest."
London: John Murray, 1869. Original green cloth boards with blind-stamped covers, gilt titling to spine; pp. xxiii, [1], 59; illustrated with one folding lithographed diagram facing page 132. Binding sturdy, hinges just starting but still secure. Moisture damage to rear board and rear endpapers, with rippling to the cloth, which does not extend to text block. Some general light shelfwear and smudging to boards. Text is clean and free of markings. Housed in a custom slipcase.