Charles Darwin | Journal of Researches, 1839, with Geological Observations on the Volcanic Islands, 1844, first editions, 2 volumes in all

Charles Darwin

Journal of Researches into the Geology and Natural History of the various countries visited by H.M.S. Beagle. London: Henry Colburn, 1839

8vo (235 x 153mm), FIRST EDITION, half-title, folding maps of South America and the Keeling Islands, 16pp. publisher's advertisements at end dated August 1829, publisher's dark blue cloth (variant a), stored in brown paper wrappers, slight offsetting of maps on to opposite pages, map of the Keeling Islands slightly spotted, extremities rubbed and bumped, spine sunned

[with:]

Geological Observations on the Volcanic Islands visited during the voyage of H.M.S. Beagle ... during the years 1832 to 1836. London: Smith Elder and Co, 1844

8vo (216 x 132mm), FIRST EDITION, folding lithographed map, 14 in-text woodcut illustrations, brown cloth binding, red edges, upper hinge split, extremities slightly rubbed and bumped

FIRST SEPARATE EDITION OF DARWIN'S FIRST PUBLISHED BOOK.

The Journal of Researches, Darwin's first book, was originally issued as the third volume of Narrative of the Surveying Voyages, with the title "Journal and Remarks, 1832–1836." In the same year, it was also issued separately, under the title Journal of Researches into the Geology and Natural History of the Various Countries Visited by H.M.S. Beagle, as is the present copy. It conveys his own account of the Beagle's voyage, and is an outstanding narrative of natural history exploration, which described the fieldwork that ultimately led to the Origin of Species.

Following the publication of the Journal, Darwin intended to publish his geographical results of the Beagle voyage as three parts in one work. Instead, these were separately published, with the present copy, Volcanic Islands, appearing second, in 1844.

Darwin served as the naturalist aboard the Admiralty survey ship Beagle during her circumnavigation, which included ports in Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Tierra del Fuego, Peru, the Galapagos Islands, Tahiti, New Zealand, and Australia. "The five years of the voyage were the most important event in Darwin's intellectual life and in the history of biological science. Darwin sailed with no formal scientific training. He returned a hard-headed man of science, knowing the importance of evidence, almost convinced that species had not always been as they were since the creation but had undergone change. ... The experiences of his five years in the Beagle, how he dealt with them, and what they led to, built up into a process of epoch-making importance in the history of thought" (DSB). In the "Recollections" he composed in 1876, Darwin himself stated that "The voyage of the Beagle has been by far the most important event in my life, and has determined my whole career" (Life and Letters 1:61).

PROVENANCE:

Professor Peter Sneath, address label to inside of wrappers on Journal of Researches

LITERATURE:

Freeman 11, 272.