DARWIN, Charles (1809-1888). On the Various Contrivances by which British and Foreign Orchids are Fertilised by Insects. London: John Murray, 1862.

8vo. Wood-engraved folding plate, wood-engravings in the text. (Some spotting to title.) Original dark plum cloth, vertically lined, with orchid stamped in gilt on upper cover, gilt-lettered spine, with the ticket of Edmonds & Remnants of London [Freeman's variant a] (rebacked preserving original spine and endpapers, some rubbing). Provenance: Hookham (inscription dated 1883); Presented to Canterbury Freethought Association (stamp on title-page).

FIRST EDITION of the first of Darwin's works to publish extensive evidence supporting his theory of Evolution through natural selection. "It will perhaps serve to illustrate how Natural History may be worked under the belief of the modification of species." (Darwin). "Quite unique - there is nothing in the whole range of botanical literature to compare it with" (Hooker). Clark (pp.180-181); Freeman 800; Norman 595.