Here is a link to Down House

Important Charles Darwin autograph letter signed, dated 12 December in 1860, approximately a year after publication of the first edition of ''On the Origin of Species'' and three weeks before the second edition, of which Darwin writes here. Writing from his home in ''Down Bromley Kent'', Darwin writes to George Charles Wallich, author of ''Notes On The Presence Of Animal Life At Vast Depths In The Sea'', to which Darwin seeks information.

Letter reads in full, ''I beg permission to thank you sincerely for sending me your 'Note on Animal Life at Vast Depths'. It has interested me extremely. You have indeed made a grand beginning at an admirable field of research. If you would not think me very unreasonable, you would do me a great favor, if you would inform me on our points we noticed in your notes. In the account given in the Times, it is stated that the machine or bases either often or sometimes penetrated through the foraminifer deposits into different underlying matter. This would show that the foraminifer deposit was sometimes or often thin; and this is the point on which I am anxious for information - It bears on the decay of the exuviae of organisms at the bottom of the sea; and is important for me in relation to some few passages in my Book on the Origin of Species, of which I am now preparing a corrected edition. You allude also to bare rock at the bottom of the sea. Have you any reason to believe extensive areas are bare? About the borer I had with hesitation though of quoting the Times; but if the facts are true, I should of course infinitely prefer just alluding to the case on your authority. What a wonderful fact- about the Ophiura and what a capital proof of the foraminifer having been alive and their discovery in their stomachs. Do you not think that you are rather bold in inferring that the basaltic pebbles were rounded at such great depths? Are you sure they were not dropped by icebergs either recently or at closed of the glacial period? With my best thanks and apologies for taking you, I remain dear sir from yours faithfully / C. Darwin / P.S. Is it not a most curious fact that the water at such profound depths and under such a vast pressure, should retain oxygen for the respiration of the animals mentioned by you.''

Five page letter is written in black ink on card-style paper (front and back), with postscript on separate smaller sheet. Folds, minor losses at fold intersections, small holes from removed staple, some discoloration and toning, but overall very good condition, with dark writing. A fantastic letter by Darwin, showing the detail and collaboration that resulted in his seminal work, which lays the foundation for the theory of evolution.