Charles Darwin
105 copies for sale · $38–$275,000 · 26 first editions · 2 signed
Notable copies for sale
For Private Distribution The Following Pages Contains Extracts From Letters Addressed To (first edition) — Sophia Rare Books$275,000
Geological observations on the volcanic islands and parts of South America; Geological obs (first edition) — Rootenberg Rare Books$75,000
De Lorigine Des Especes Ou Des Lois Du Progres Chez Les Etres Organises Traduit En Francai (first edition) — Sophia Rare Books$12,500
Descent of Man, and Selection in Relation to Sex. In two volumes (first edition) — Heritage Book Shop$5,500
The Formation of Vegetable Mould Through the Action of Worms with Observations on Their Ha (first edition) — Burnside Rare Books$3,500
THE EFFECTS OF CROSS AND SELF FERTILISATION IN THE VEGETABLE KINGDOM (first edition) — Rare Book Cellar$2,646
A Naturalists Voyage Journal Of Researches Into The Natural History And Geology Of The Cou (first edition) — Rare Book Cellar$1,346
The Formation of Vegetable Mould, Through the Action of Worms, with Observations on their (first edition) — Adrian Harrington Rare Books£1,250
“Sexual selection in relation to monkeys.” In Nature, Volume VX, November 1876 to April 18 (first edition) — Rootenberg Rare Books$750
The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals (first edition) — Swan's Fine Books$500
Autograph Letter Signed (signed) — Bauman Rare Books$29,500
The Variation of Animals and Plants under Domestication (first edition) — Rootenberg Rare Books$3,000
What these are worth
The Variation of Animals and Plants Under Domestication (first edition)3 copies from 3 sellers
Each page gathers every copy on the market, what similar copies have fetched, and the spread between them.
Works on the market
ORIGIN OF SPECIES10 copies · $38–$18,743
DESCENT OF MAN AND SELECTION IN RELATION TO SEX9 copies · £48–£9,800
THE DESCENT OF MAN; Easton Press4 copies · $273–$298
The Variation of Animals and Plants Under Domestication3 copies · $2,250–$4,200
THE DESCENT OF MAN AND SELECTION IN RELATION TO SEX; Franklin Library3 copies · $348–$498
ON THE ORIGIN OF SPECIES; By Means of Natural Selection3 copies · $38–$354
ORIGIN OF SPECIES AND THE DESCENT OF MAN3 copies · $68–$123
The Descent of Man, and Selection in Relation to Sex2 copies · $9,500–$12,500
The Descent of Man, and Selection in Relation to Sex2 copies · $6,000–$7,750
ON THE ORIGIN OF SPECIES; Easton Press2 copies · $373
The Origin of Species, Charles Darwin2 copies · $160
THE ORIGIN OF SPECIES AND THE DESCENT OF MAN; Modern Library No. G272 copies · $72–$103
Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals2 copies · $48–$80
ORIGIN OF SPECIES AND THE DESCENT OF MAN; Modern Library2 copies · $48–$78
For Private Distribution The Following Pages Contains Extracts From Letters Addressed To1 copy · $275,000
Geological observations on the volcanic islands and parts of South America; Geological obs1 copy · $75,000
Autograph letter signed Ch. Darwin , to Charles Layton, Appleton's London agent, about a s1 copy · $50,000
THE ORIGIN OF SPECIES1 copy · $35,000
Autograph Letter Signed1 copy · $29,500
Market context
79 copies of Charles Darwin's works have left the market recently; the median last-listed price was $52 (last listed prices at time of sale or removal, not confirmed sale prices).
Recent auction results (hammer prices, premiums not included):
Geological Observations on South America, first edition, 1846. (forum, 2026-09-17)£1,800
The Foundations of the Origin of Species, first edition, Cambridge University Press, 1909; (forum, 2026-08-06)£80
Insectivorous Plants, second edition, revised by Francis Darwin, John Murray, 1888; and 6 (forum, 2026-08-06)£800
The Movements and Habits of Climbing Plants, second edition, John Murray, 1875 (forum, 2026-08-06)£260
The Descent of Man, 2 vol., first American edition, New York, D. Appleton and Company, 187 (forum, 2026-08-06)£300
The Effects of Cross and Self Fertilisation in the Vegetable Kingdom, first edition, John (forum, 2026-08-06)£340
Listings aggregated from rare-book dealers, auction houses and marketplaces worldwide; refreshed continually. Prices are seller asking prices unless marked as auction results.