Charles Darwin, On the Origin of Species, 1860, second edition rebound, G+

Darwin, Charles, On the Origin of Species by means of natural selection, or the preservation of favoured races in the struggle for life. London: John Murray, 1860. Leatherbound quarto, 5" x 7 7/8", ix + 501 pp.

Good + quarto with the second issue "fifth thousand" to title, rebound and rebacked in brown leather with raised bands and worn gilt decoration, marbled endpapers and text block edges. Exposed gutters but tight hinges, slight cocking, sturdily bound. Shelfwear, soiling and bubbling to front board, bumped, and minor board exposure to bottom front tip. Pullout diagram between 117-118 intact with minor chipping. 1/2" and 1/4" closed tears at top edge  239-242 pp. not affecting text, publisher advertising missing. The second issue, which followed with two months of the first, is notable because Darwin made copious changes to the text, including the addition of a third epigraph by Joseph Butler facing the title page, changing his estimates on erosion, and adding examples of fossil discoveries. F376. Still considered one of the most important books ever written, it's safe to say this copy of On Origin of Species has been through its own distinct evolution.