La Descendance de l’Homme – Charles Darwin – 1872 | First French Edition in Publisher’s Cloth

The 1872 first French Descent of Man Darwin edition is the first foreign-language printing of Darwin’s second major evolutionary work, issued by Reinwald in Paris in the same year as the English first edition. This two-volume set introduced French readers to Darwin’s study of sexual selection and human origins. Translated by Jean-Jacques Moulinié and reviewed by Charles Martins, it retains the original structure and illustrations found in the English edition, including numerous in-text engravings.

This is the work in which Darwin’s theory of evolution by means of natural selection was applied to human beings. Prior to this, Darwin had restricted his conclusions to animals and plants. The word “evolution” had not appeared in any of his previous works. Many statements in this text have been distorted over time—particularly the claim that Darwin believed humans descended from apes. He did not. As De Beer noted, Darwin stated only that “human ancestors, if alive today, would have to be classified among the Primates.”

This Paris printing was among the earliest translations of The Descent of Man and remained consistent with the English edition in its layout and illustrations. Moulinié’s translation introduced Darwin’s arguments to a new readership, supported by commentary aligned with French scientific standards of the time. Reinwald’s 1872 impression preceded later continental versions and is distinguishable by its typography and catalogue.

Bibliographic Details

• Title: La Descendance de l’Homme et la Sélection Sexuelle
• Author(s): Charles Darwin
• Contributor(s): Jean-Jacques Moulinié (Translator); Charles Martins (Scientific Reviewer)
• Publisher: Paris, C. Reinwald & Cie
• Edition: First French Edition, 1872
• Format: Octavo, two volumes
• Binding: Original green cloth
• Size:  9.25 in x 6 in (23.5 cm x 15.5 cm)
• Collation: Tome I: [4], xv, [1], 452, [1], 24 pp; Tome II: [4], III, [1], 494, [2] pp
• Illustrations: Numerous in-text wood engravings
• Contents Include:
  • Préface du Traducteur (Moulinié)
  • French translation of Darwin’s full text
  • Sections on sexual selection, comparative anatomy, heredity
  • Publisher’s 24-page catalogue in first volume
• Reference(s): Freeman 937; Garrison & Morton 170; PMM 169; De Beer, Charles Darwin, p.210

Condition:

In original green publisher’s cloth with blind-stamped boards and gilt spine titling. Mild wear is present, mainly to the spine ends and corners, with staining and bubbling across the cloth surfaces. Bindings remain secure, with original endpapers intact. The pages are untrimmed and show intermittent foxing. In-text engravings are clearly printed. Volume I includes the full 24-page Reinwald catalogue at rear. The set is complete.

Why Collect This?

• First foreign-language edition of Descent of Man, printed in Darwin’s lifetime
• Issued by Reinwald in 1872, the same year as the English original
• Bound in original cloth, unrestored and complete with publisher’s catalogue
• Features original in-text engravings and full translated content
• Notable early appearance of the term “evolution” in Darwin’s published work

Item Number: #28651