Darwin (Charles).- Spencer (Herbert) The Study of Sociology, first edition, presentation inscription "Charles Darwin with the author's kind regards" to head of title, hinges weak, title and front free endpaper working loose, small patch of staining to upper corner, Autograph Letter signed from Edward Darwin gifting the book to a relative loosely inserted, original cloth, light toning to spine, spine ends and corners a little frayed, light staining to covers, 8vo, 1875.

⁂ Darwin's copy of Spencer's book with a presentation inscription from the author. Spencer cites Darwin several times in his book and singles out Origin of Species as one of the most influential scientific publications of recent times.

Spencer and Darwin were occasional correspondents and would regularly send each other copies of their latest works. The relationship between Spencer and Darwin is best-remembered for Spencer's coining of the phrase "survival of the fittest" which Darwin would then borrow for his Variation of Animals and Plants and the fifth and subsequent editions of On the Origin of Species. Books from Darwin's library are rare to the market.

Provenance: By descent in the Cornford family.