THE NATURAL HISTORY OF THE HUMAN SPECIES, Its Typical Forms, Primaeval Distribution, Filiations, and Migrations

Henry G. Bohn/ W.H.Lizars, Samuel Highley: London/ Edinburgh, 1852. 2nd UK ed. (1st-1848) . Blind-stamped Red Cloth. VG- for age. 12 Cms x 17 Cms. f/p. engr. portrait of author+Lizars engr. t.p. with central engr. vignette of 'Blackfoot Indian'+ 1852 Bohn t.p.,+464 pp. (to xvi in roman)+ 33 pp. of plates, coloured from 10 onwards (t.p. boasts '34 coloured plates', in fact plates 6 & 8 are on same page and they are uncoloured engravings up to plate 9), top edge gilt, gilt dec. spine & central gilt motif to front; front endpaper has prev.owner's 1920-dated inscrip.+ his fairly faint address and business stamp ('Solicitor'), above this is a short pasted strip with n. '59' typed on it - presumably a private lib. number, Lizars t.p. is moderately browned and faint brown flecks recto f/p. (i.e. back of image), otherwise internally clean, tight & unmarked with good end gutters, very slight dustiness to fore-edge of textblock; covers generally clean but a little rubbed in places, extremities slightly bumped, spine ends rubbed but undamaged, spine also a little dull and rubbed, rear joint has thin full-length cloth split exposing netting but is quite secured follwing invisible repair. It is worth noting that the 1851 U.S. Boston edition only has 11 plates but does have introduction by S. Kneeland, 1855 and 1859 U.S. editions were also issued. This 2nd UK edition seems to be particularly scarce, more so than the 1848 1st or American editions. The author was a colourful much travelled character you may find it worthwhile exploring further. Regarding race he was a polygenist, believing major 'races' were different species, but was not thinking in an evolutioanry framework. Note: quoted non-UK shipping rates are calculated for 500-700 gram net weight, cost will be modified up or down as appropriate outside this range.