Darwin book up for grabs

• Source: Global Times
• [01:48 November 24 2009]
• Comments

One of the 1,250 first-edition copies of Charles Darwin's On the Origin of Species, found in a family's toilet in southern Britain, awaits an auction today – the 150th anniversary of the publication of the seminal work in evolutionary theory.

The family bought the book 40 years ago in a shop for a few shillings and kept it on a book-case in the guest lavatory at their home in the Oxford area, according to Christie's auction house, which is in charge of the selling.

The book led a secluded life in the toilet until the son-in-law of the current owners spotted a picture of the spine of the work at an exhibition on Darwin, which the book in the toilet matched well. Consequently, the book's value was discovered.

The price of the book, which was 15 shillings when it was first published by Means of Natural Selection, and less than that when the family bought it, is expected to reach as high as 60,000 pounds ($99,000), Christie's said.

Margaret Ford, head of books and manuscripts at Christie's, said the book would have been a bargain when it was bought by the present owner.

"He knew it (the book) was textually important." However, "He maybe did not know how much of a bargain he was getting," Ford Remarked.

Darwin's On the Origin of Species set out his theory of evolution, by which species develop from generation to generation by a process of natural selection. After going through six editions, the book finally defined the theory, and the 1872 version is widely known as the last one.

This year, in addition to marking the 150th anniversary of this famous book, is also the 200th anniversary of Darwin's birth.

This prominent scientist was one of only five people not belonging to the royal family in Britain to be honored by a state funeral.

Though 150 years old, his theory is still widely regarded as true today.

"Charles Darwin's concept of evolution through natural selection is one of the most illuminating scientific ideas of all time for understanding our biosphere and humanity's place in nature," Lord Rees of Ludlow, from The Charles Darwin Trust's Science Advisory Panel, said.

Agencies/Global Times