evolution

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN — AS PRESIDENT OF THE AMERICAN PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY OVERSEES THE INDUCTION OF EDWARD PENNINGTON, A LEADING PHILADELPHIA QUAKER MERCHANT, WHO WILL FIND HIMSELF HELD PRISONER DURING THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION FOR HIS REFUSAL TO SUPPORT THE WAR AGAINST BRITAIN
FRANKLIN, BENJAMIN. (1706-1790) Founding Father of the United States, author and printer, satirist, political theorist, politician, scientist, inventor, statesman, and diplomat. Scarce Partially-Printed Document Signed, “B. Franklin,” as President of The American Philosophical Society. One page, large oblong folio. Philadelphia. January 20, 1780.

EXTREMELY-RARE SIGNED DARWIN PHOTOGRAPH — ALSO SIGNED ON THE VERSO BY CONTROVERSIAL PHOTOGRAPHER OSCAR REJLANDER, WHO TOOK THIS CDV IMAGE AND WHOSE PHOTOGRAPHS ILLUSTRATED DARWIN’S THE EXPRESSION OF THE EMOTIONS IN MAN AND ANIMALS
DARWIN, CHARLES. (1809-82). British scientist and founder of evolutionary theory. Superb and Exceedingly-rare Signed Carte-de-Visite Photograph. Darwin is depicted [in a clear 1st generation print], showing him seated in 1/2 length pose, facing right, with his hands clasped in front of him. Boldly signed on the lower margin, “Charles Darwin.” No place, [London]. No date [circa 1871]. Also signed on the verso by OSCAR GUSTAVE REJLANDER (1813- 1875), the Victorian art photographer, who took this photograph: “O.G. Rejlander / 1 Albert Mansions, / Victoria Street S.W.”

THE 30 YEAR OLD NATURALIST, AND FUTURE EVOLUTIONIST: CHARLES DARWIN SENDS COPIES OF THE THIRD VOLUME OF HIS: THE VOYAGE OF THE BEAGLE
DARWIN, CHARLES. (1809-82). British scientist. Highly-Important, and exceptionally early Autograph Letter Signed, “C. Darwin.” Four very full pages, octavo. No place, “Tuesday,” no date [circa 1839]. Fine condition. To “Dear Sir” [most likely Henry Colburn, Darwin’s first publisher].

DARWIN DIRECTS THAT HARVARD PROFESSOR ASA GRAY IS TO RECEIVE UNBOUND SHEETS OF HIS: ORIGIN OF SPECIES
DARWIN, CHARLES. (1809-1882). British naturalist who advanced the idea of evolution. A Superb, and apparently unpublished, Autograph Letter Signed, “Ch. Darwin.” Three pages, octavo. “4 Chester Place, Regents Park”, “Monday”, no year but circa 1860.