DESCRIPTION ~ Descent of Man by Charles Darwin. Published by D. Appleton and Company, New York, 1871. FIRST AMERICAN EDITION containing his first published use of the term 'evolution' on page 2 of volume I. Complete in two volumes. Renowned zoological illustrator T. W. Wood contributed many of the illustrations to the books. The scarce first printing with 1871 on the title page, errata from volume I to verso of contents leaf in vol. II, 2-page ads to rear of vol. I, 12-page ads to rear of vol. II and the 4-page prospectus for "The Origin of Species" from The Works of Charles Darwin tipped in at the front of volume I.
 
CONDITION ~ 8vo. "8” x 5.5” x 1.5” Very good condition. Bound in the publisher’s original reddish-brown cloth hardcover binding with black stamped double rule and decoration to the boards and gilt stamped titles to the spine with yellow coated endpapers. Volume I - 409 pages plus 2 pages of ads. Volume 2 - 436 pages including the index plus 12 pages of ads. Minimal discoloration to cloth boards, corners bumped and rubbed, some softening and fraying to cloth spine tips, a couple of small chips to the spines and some wrinkling to the cloth on the upper front of volume II. Both volumes with clean and unmarked interiors. A 1 1/2" closed tear now repaired on the front flyleaf and on the errata page of volume 2. Overall, a very good set of the first U.S. edition, published the same year as the John Murray U.K. edition.