DARWIN, Charles (1809-1882). Journal of Researches into the Geology and Natural History of the various countries visited by H.M.S. Beagle. London: Henry Colburn, 1839.

First separate edition of Darwin’s first published book. According to Freeman, it is the one most often read, and "stands second only to On the Origin of Species as the most often printed." The first issue forms the third volume of The Narrative of the Voyages of H.M.S. Adventure and Beagle, edited by Captain Robert Fitzroy and published in three volumes with an appendix to volume II in 1839. The second issue, as here, was the first appearance of the work in its own right. It was written up from Darwin’s manuscript diary and the small notebooks forming the memoranda on which the diary itself was based. Freeman 11.

Octavo (230 x 147mm). With two folding engraved maps and four wood-engraved illustrations (effaced ownership signature and library stamp to title affecting the word "London" in imprint; spotting to both maps and facing text leaves, maps with partially repaired short stub tears and a little creasing, without half-title). Original blindstamped brownish-purple cloth, spine gilt-lettered (rebacked with original spine preserved, new endpapers, faded, corners just showing); clamshell purple cloth box, near uniform gilt-lettering to spine. Provenance: Dr. Sydney Ross, Troy, NY (bookplate).