A first edition of Charles Darwin's "Origin of
Species" has sold for a record amount of just over half a million
dollars, the auction house said.
Bonhams said the 160-year-old book sold for 500,075 dollars to an
anonymous buyer in an online sale that concluded at midnight
Thursday. The winning bid was more than double the amount expected,
Bonhams said in a news release.
Described by Bonhams as "in pristine condition," the book, whose full
title is "On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection,"
had been held in a private collection for nearly 100 years.
Darwin, a British naturalist and biologist who developed the theory
of evolution by observing and studying birds, plants and fossils
around the world, published the book in 1859.
His revolutionary
scientific theory is considered a turning point in the history of
science as it clashed with belief in creation taught by established
religions.
The book was among a number of first edition presentation copies that
were sent to family and friends shortly after it was published. Its
original owner was German botanist Robert Caspary, whose work is
discussed in other Darwin publications. It bears the inscription
"Professor Caspary / Koenigsberg / from the author."
Caspary's copy was sold in the early 20th century to Edward Bradford
Titchener, an English-born psychologist and professor at Cornell
University in New York, according to Bonhams. It descended to the
current owner, who was not identified.
In advertising the auction Bonhams said this "wonderful association"
made it "a once in a generation opportunity."
Described by Bonhams as ,in pristine condition,, the book, whose full title is ,On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection,, had been held in a private collection for nearly 100 years.