English naturalist and author (1809–1882) whose book explaining his theories of evolution, On the Origin of the Species by Means of Natural Selection (1859), takes a place among the most influential texts in the history of scientific thought. ALS signed “Ch. Darwin,” one page, 5 x 8, personal letterhead, December 28, [1870]. Letter to an unidentified gentleman. In part: “I am much obliged for your note. It would have given me great pleasure to have had you as the translator into Dutch of my new book. But Dr. Hartogh van Zouteveen offered some time ago & has already completed a large part of Vol. I to be published…so it is impossible from me to make any change.” Letter is affixed to a slightly larger off-white sheet. Light block of toning to top right, a few other areas of trivial toning, and some light wrinkling and rippling from adhesive on reverse, otherwise fine condition. Originally offered at Christie’s and accompanied by the original auction sleeve.
The “new book” referenced here was The Descent of Man, Darwin’s second book on human evolutionary theory, published in 1871. A follow-up piece to his landmark 1859 work, The Origin of Species, Darwin’s publisher sought to have this latest publication translated into various languages, Dutch being among them. The man chosen for that job—Herman Hartogh Heys van Zouteveen—translated the pages one by one as they were sent to him, and (for the time) boldly wrote in the preface to the translated work that Darwin had collected so much evidence to prove his hypothesis that it was almost a certainty. Interestingly, Heys’ support of Darwin and Darwinism may have thwarted his plan to become chair for the Zoology Department at Leiden University, the oldest university in the Netherlands. Because evolutionary theory ran contrary to Protestant beliefs, any advocate—such as Heys—was viewed negatively by authority. By the end of the 19th century, Darwinism had established itself in the Netherlands. An apologetic note from Darwin, referencing one of his greatest Dutch supporters. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
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