[Exploration] Wallace, Alfred Russel. The Malay Archipelago: The Land of the Orang-Utan, and the Bird of Paradise. A Narrative of Travel, with Studies of Man and Nature. Macmillan, London, 1869. 2 volumes in 1. First edition of 'one of the nineteenth century's best scientific travel books' (Smith). 8vo. Half titles to each volume, xxiii,[1], 478; 524 pp. Illustrated with wood engravings, including frontispieces & title-page vignettes; several maps, two of them folding. Contemporary smooth calf boards, gilt, rebacked in later leather, leather spine labels. Bound by Riviere. Folding map of Wallace's route backed on linen. "On the basis of artistic format, literary style, and scientific merit, [The Malay Archipelago] is clearly one of the finest scientific travel books ever written." (DSB). Wallace appropraitely dedicates his work to Darwin. Wallace is also best known for independently conceiving the theory of evolution through natural selection. Smith S720.Condition: Occasional foxing.Provenance: From the Library of the Godfather of Biodiversity, Dr. Thomas E. Lovejoy.