DARWIN LETTER ON THE ORIGIN

Autograph letter signed, concerning editions of the Origin of Species. Down, Beckenham, Kent, 17 December [1866] 8vo (178 x 112 mm), on one side of folded black-edged mourning paper (sheet dimensions 178 x 224 mm); fold creases from posting, in fine condition.

A fine unpublished letter to an anonymous correspondent, concerning editions of the Origin of Species. ‘Four editions of the Origin have appeared; that published last month is considerably added to & can be procured through any bookseller. I am glad to hear that you are interested in the subject. Yours faithfully, Charles Darwin’. In November Darwin had copies of the substantially revised and augmented fourth edition of the Origin sent to Huxley and Wallace among others, their letters acknowledging receipt and praising the new edition dated November 11 and November 19 respectively. The mourning stationery reflects the death of Darwin’s sister, Susan Elizabeth Darwin, in October; another sister, Emily Catherine Langton, had died in January that year. See ‘Darwin in letters, 1866; Survival of the fittest’, Darwin Correspondence Project (online). Darwin Correspondence Project 5310F (summary only)