[2], [vii]-xiv, 629, [609]-615 pp. Illustrated with 2 folding engraved maps and 4 wood-engraved illustrations. (8vo) 9x5¾, period half black morocco and dark blue pebbled cloth, spine lettered in gilt, marbled endpapers, all edges marbled. First Edition, Separate Issue.
With the bookplate of John Clarke Hawkshaw, husband of Darwin's niece, Cicely Wedgwood. Also with the bookplate of H.B. Speakman, former director of the Ontario Research Foundation, featuring an engraved portrait of Charles Darwin.
Rare first edition of Darwin's first book. This work was originally published as the third volume of "Narrative of the Surveying Voyages of His Majesty's Ships Adventure and Beagle..."; it was re-issued the same year in separate form under this title. 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. "Darwin's account of the voyage...is one of the most interesting records of natural history exploration ever written and is one of the most important, for it was on this voyage that Darwin prepared for his lifework, ultimately leading to, The Origin of the Species" (Hill). This copy without advertisements. Hill, p.104; Sabin 37826.
Condition:
Joints and edges lightly rubbed, some fading and a few spots of soiling to cloth, hinges cracked; occasional light foxing, penciled notes on 2 appendix pages; short diagonal tears to maps, one with old tape repair on verso, fore-margin of first map a bit rough; overall very good.