The Works of Alfred Russel Wallace Including: The Geographical Distribution of Animals, Contributions to the Theory of Natural Selection, Tropical Nature, Island Life, and Darwinism: An Exposition of the Theory of Natural Selection.

WALLACE, Alfred Russel.

Item Number: 92531

London: Various publishers , 1871-1910.

First editions of the works of English naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace including a presentation copy, inscribed by the author. Octavo, 16 volumes, uniformly bound in three quarters morocco by Root & Son, gilt titles and tooling to the spine, raised gilt bands, top edge gilt, illustrated, folding maps to many volumes. Land Nationalisation, its Necessity and its Aims is a presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the verso of the front free endpaper, “From the author.” First editions with the exception of Contributions to the Theory of Natural Selection, The Wonderful Century, and Man’s Place in the Universe. In near fine condition with light rubbing to the extremities. An exceptional set, rare and desirable.

English naturalist and biologist Alfred Russel Wallace was one of the two leading figures in the development of the theory of evolution through natural selection alongside Charles Darwin. Darwin and Wallace’s theories differed slightly. Darwin argued that competition between members of the same species led to adaptation, while Wallace asserted that environmental pressures led populations of various locations to diverge. In 1858, Darwin and Wallace published a joint publication: On the Tendency of Species to form Varieties; and on the Perpetuation of Varieties and Species by Natural Means of Selection, the content of which Darwin would develop into his magnum opus, On the Origin of Species, published the following year. The essays included in the present volume initially appeared in various scientific periodicals between 1855 and 1870 and contain arguments both supporting and in opposition to theories previously set forth by Darwin.