Charles Darwin
97 copies for sale · $38–$275,000 · 20 first editions · 1 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
“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
Des differentes formes de fleurs dans les plantes de la meme espece (first edition) — Rootenberg Rare Books$350
THE EXPRESSION OF THE EMOTIONS IN MAN AND ANIMAL; Gryphon Editions (first edition) — Rare Book Cellar$273
The Descent of Man, and Selection in Relation to Sex (first edition) — Rootenberg Rare Books$12,500
The Variation of Animals and Plants under Domestication (first edition) — Manhattan Rare Books$4,200
The Formation of Vegetable Mould Through the Action of Worms with Observations on Their Ha (first edition) — Burnside Rare Books$3,500
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 SEX10 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
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
Journal of Researches Into the Natural History & Geology of the Countries Visited During t2 copies · $40–$2,500
ON THE ORIGIN OF SPECIES; Easton Press2 copies · $373
ON THE ORIGIN OF SPECIES; By Means of Natural Selection2 copies · $43–$354
THE ORIGIN OF SPECIES AND THE DESCENT OF MAN; Modern Library No. G272 copies · $72–$103
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 Signed1 copy · $29,500
Zoology of the Voyage of the H.M.S. Beagle. Under the Command of Captain Fitzroy, R.N., Du1 copy · $25,000
Market context
69 copies of Charles Darwin's works have left the market recently; the median last-listed price was $54 (last listed prices at time of sale or removal, not confirmed sale prices).
Recent auction results (hammer prices, premiums not included):
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
Insectivorous Plants, first edition, first issue, 1875; and another by the same (2) (forum, 2026-07-23)£320
Listings aggregated from rare-book dealers, auction houses and marketplaces worldwide; refreshed continually. Prices are seller asking prices unless marked as auction results.