Lyell's Principles of Geology
In original boards, 1830-33
LYELL, Charles (1797-1875). Principles of Geology, Being an Attempt to Explain the Former Changes of the Earth's Surface, by Reference to Causes Now in Operation. London: John Murray, 1830-33.

The first edition, uncut in publisher’s boards, of the groundbreaking work by the father of modern geology that argued for the true antiquity of the Earth. Lyell's work had enormous impact on Charles Darwin's thinking with its development of the concept of "deep geological time" through observation of current geological processes. Darwin himself wrote that: "I always feel as if my books came half out of Lyell's brain" (PMM). Dibner 96; Horblit 70; Milestones of Science 140; Norman 1398; cf. PMM 344.

Three volumes, octavo (212 x 132mm). Half-titles in vols 1 and 3 as published; three frontispieces, two of these hand-colored and one folded; five engraved plates; three maps, two of these hand-colored and two folded; wood-engraved illustrations throughout; 16-page publisher’s advertisements, "Family Library" dated Nov. 1830, at beginning of vol. 1, and 8-page publisher’s advertisements dated June 1833 at end of vol. 3 (occasional light spotting; small closed tear on last two leaves of advertisements and final flyleaf in vol. 3). Publisher’s boards, printed paper titling pieces on spines (hinges cracked in vols 2 and 3, spine loose in vol. 2, boards nearly detached in vol. 3; edge and corner wear); in modern clam-shell boxes (Zambrano Library of Congress call number label on chemises). Provenance: Wm. W. [Hollard?] (19th century inscription on front board of vol. 1).