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Lot 1031
DARWIN REVISES THE ORIGIN DARWIN, CHARLES. 1809-1882. Autograph Letter Signed ("C. Darwin") to George Charles Wallich requesting information on sea animals for the first revised edition of Origin of Species,
25 October 2022, 14:00 EDT
New YorkUS$60,000 - US$80,000
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DARWIN REVISES THE ORIGIN
DARWIN, CHARLES. 1809-1882. Autograph Letter Signed ("C. Darwin") to George Charles Wallich requesting information on sea animals for the first revised edition of Origin of Species, 8vo (200 x 123 mm), 5 pp, 4 pp on a bifolium, plus additional 1 p post script, Down, Bromley, Kent, Dec 12, [1860,] a few stains, small holes from old staple, fold lines.
IMPORTANT DARWIN LETTER TO G.C. WALLICH INVESTIGATING THE LIFE OF DEEP SEA CREATURES FOR THE REVISED EDITION OF ORIGIN OF SPECIES. In a heavily scientific letter, Darwin follows up with George Wallich after reading his recent work on animal life at the greatest depths of the sea. Wallich had recently returned from research aboard the HMS Bulldog investigating the sea floor in conjunction with a possible transatlantic submarine cable. Darwin shows a deep curiosity and great understanding of the topic related to microscopic organisms along the sea bed, and in particular wants to know the depth of the layers along the ocean floor. In the postscript, he notes with great interest the oxygen levels Wallach discovered at his great depths.
Darwin's discussion of the sea floor and its composition appears on pp 289-293 of the first edition. Receiving a lengthy 8-page response from Wallich on the subject on December 14, Darwin revised the pages, primarily to a passage on p 289 mentioning the theories of Edward Forbes, including them in the 1861 revision, and would indeed continue to develop the passage through 1869. Wallich's theory of life on the ocean floor would eventually disprove Forbes's "azoic" (lifeless) view of the sea bottom.
Letters relating to Darwin's revision of the Origin are rare in the market, and this is a remarkable example with significant scientific content.
IMPORTANT DARWIN LETTER TO G.C. WALLICH INVESTIGATING THE LIFE OF DEEP SEA CREATURES FOR THE REVISED EDITION OF ORIGIN OF SPECIES. In a heavily scientific letter, Darwin follows up with George Wallich after reading his recent work on animal life at the greatest depths of the sea. Wallich had recently returned from research aboard the HMS Bulldog investigating the sea floor in conjunction with a possible transatlantic submarine cable. Darwin shows a deep curiosity and great understanding of the topic related to microscopic organisms along the sea bed, and in particular wants to know the depth of the layers along the ocean floor. In the postscript, he notes with great interest the oxygen levels Wallach discovered at his great depths.
Darwin's discussion of the sea floor and its composition appears on pp 289-293 of the first edition. Receiving a lengthy 8-page response from Wallich on the subject on December 14, Darwin revised the pages, primarily to a passage on p 289 mentioning the theories of Edward Forbes, including them in the 1861 revision, and would indeed continue to develop the passage through 1869. Wallich's theory of life on the ocean floor would eventually disprove Forbes's "azoic" (lifeless) view of the sea bottom.
Letters relating to Darwin's revision of the Origin are rare in the market, and this is a remarkable example with significant scientific content.

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