Rare Edition of Charles Darwin's 'The Origin of Species'

The culmination of his intellectual journey - the sixth and final lifetime edition of Charles Darwin’s On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection - is up for auction.

Credit: Bonhams

First issued in 1859, Darwin’s work irreversibly reshaped biology, offering the first coherent theory of evolution through natural selection and profoundly influencing the scientific, philosophical, and cultural currents of the modern world.

The sixth edition is not merely a reprint - it is the most extensively revised version of the text. Here, Darwin responds to more than a decade of scientific debate, clarifies key arguments, and - most notably - introduces the word “evolution” into the text for the first time.

This edition also includes a new chapter, Miscellaneous Objections, addressing the growing body of criticism and refinement from fellow scientists.

Darwin regarded each of the six editions as part of a living dialogue with the scientific community. The sixth edition reflects his most mature thinking and remains the standard text for understanding his evolutionary theory as he ultimately framed it.

Though collectors often prize the 1859 first edition for its rarity, the 1872 sixth edition is, in many ways, the culmination of Darwin’s intellectual journey - the version most reflective of his full engagement with both allies and skeptics, and the version most often cited by modern scholars.

Better be quick! The online auction ends on 14 June.