The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals

Description:

First edition, second issue with three leaves of prelims, the third leaf signed b; the last 2 signatures 2B1, 2C4, with 2B1 and 2C1, and 2C2 signed; 'that' incorrectly spelt 'htat' on page 208. Freeman notes that the plates are found in two states in the first two issues of the text, either numbered with roman or arabic numerals. In this copy they are arabic numerals. The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animalswas Darwin's third major work of evolutionary theory, following On the Origin of Species (1859) and The Descent of Man (1871). In this work Darwin explores the biological aspects of emotional behaviour and the animal origins of human emotional expression. To illustrate human emotion, Darwin used photographs by five different photographers, most notably Oscar Gustave Rejlander (1813(?)–1875) who contributed 19 of the 30 photographs. The heliotype plates are among the earliest commercially reproduced photographs in a scientific book.

Freeman, 1142.

Condition

8vo, orig. cloth, rebacked with original backstrip retained, gt title to spine. Ownership stamp to endpaper and title page (W.T. Woods, Ashridge, Forty Hill). One folding plate slightly creased at outer margin, and lightly foxed to folds. Advert leaves at end untidily opened to top blank margin. Good.