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Circa-1854 photograph of Charles Darwin, author of On the Origin of the Species. Image taken by Henry Maull (1829–1914) and John Fox (1832–1907) (Maull & Fox), is from the University College London Digital Collection (18869).

Rare Charles Darwin book found in English family’s lavatory

Catherine Saunders-Watson
Catherine Saunders-Watson
Circa-1854 photograph of Charles Darwin, author of On the Origin of the Species. Image taken by Henry Maull (1829–1914) and John Fox (1832–1907) (Maull & Fox), is from the University College London Digital Collection (18869).
Circa-1854 photograph of Charles Darwin, author of On the Origin of the Species. Image taken by Henry Maull (1829–1914) and John Fox (1832–1907) (Maull & Fox), is from the University College London Digital Collection (18869).

LONDON (AP) – On Dec. 1, a first edition of Charles Darwin’s On the Origin of Species will be auctioned in London. The rare book, which would be more appropriately held in a university or science library, was found in a family’s guest bathroom in southern England.

Christie’s auction house said Sunday the book – one of around 1,250 copies first printed in 1859 – had been kept on a toilet bookshelf at a family’s home in Oxford.

The book will be auctioned on Tuesday, the 150th anniversary of the publication of the famous work. Christie’s said the book is likely to sell for 60,000 pounds ($99,000).

Darwin’s On the Origin of Species outlined his theory of natural selection, the foundation for the modern understanding of evolution.

Celebrations around the world this year have marked the 200th anniversary of Darwin’s birth.

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On the Net:

Darwin’s Collected Works: http://darwin-online.org.uk/

AP-CS-11-22-09 1031EST