DARWIN, Charles (1809-1882). Autograph letter signed (“Chas Darwin”) to Henry Colburn , [London, late October, 1837].

Two pages, bifolium, 180 x 124mm. Annotated in ink at top margin by Mary HUTTON (ca. 1835–1908). Integral transmittal leaf addressed in Darwin’s hand to Colburn at 36 Great Marlborough Street.

Preparing The Voyage of the Beagle for publication. Soon after his return from the voyage of the HMS Beagle in October 1836, arguably the most important voyage in the history of science, Darwin began drafting his first book, also known as The Journal of Researches. He completed the first draft in June 1837, and in late September, Darwin sent the final manuscript and the necessary woodcuts to his publisher before departing to his family home in Shrewsbury. Henry Colburn, his publisher, agreed to supervise the final proof during his time in the country. Here, upon his return home in late October, he advises Colburn that he would “now continue to superintended [sic] the revises myself — and I am much obliged for your assistance, during my absence,” and requests that Mr. Whiting send the proof slips more frequently. Colburn printed The Voyage of the Beagle in November, whereupon the new author discovered the perils of leaving the the supervision of the proofs to others: “During my absence Mr Colburn employed some goose to revise & he has multiplied, instead of diminishing my oversights.” (Darwin to Henslow, 4 November 1837). Final publication was delayed another eighteen months because the Voyage was intended to be the third and final volume of the Narrative of the … Beagle and Darwin’s fellow authors were still finishing their own work. The top of the letter is annotated by the noted fossil collector, Mary Hutton who writes: “He [Darwin] accompanied Captain R. FitzRoy in his Voyage round the World, as a collector Mary Hutton". Provenance: Mary Hutton (inscription). – Sotheby's, 4 August 2020, lot 29.