29. Darwin, Charles. Autograph letter signed (“Ch. Darwin”), 1 page (5 x 8 in.; 127 x 203 mm.), on “Down, Beckenham, Kent” letterhead, 31 May 1879, written to “Dr. F. Albin Gärtner” in Vienna. With original transmittal envelope. Minor toning along edges; mounting remnants on verso of blank conjoined leaf.

Charles Darwin thanks a Viennese doctor for a curious case of inheritance…

Darwin writes in full:
Dear Sir I am much obliged for your courteous note & for the curious case of inheritance. I remain Dear Sir Yours faithfully Ch. Darwin

Darwin published his theory of evolution with compelling evidence in his 1859 book On the Origin of Species, overcoming scientific rejection of earlier concepts of transmutation of species. Darwin’s theory is simply stated in the introduction: “As many more individuals of each species are born than can possibly survive; and is, consequently, there is a frequently recurring struggle for existence, it follows that any being, if it vary however slightly in any manner profitable to itself, under the complex and sometimes varying conditions of life, will have a better chance of surviving, and thus be naturally selected. From the strong principle of inheritance, any selected variety will tend to propagate its new and modified form.” By the 1870s, the scientific community and much of the general public had accepted evolution as a fact. In modified form, Darwin’s scientific discovery is the unifying theory of the life sciences, explaining the diversity of life. $4,000 - $6,000

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