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Here are a number of personal letters written by Charles Darwin. As far as we can tell here at The DNA Store, all letters are original and as described.
These letters are not for sale and not in our possession. We also do not know who presently owns any of the letters. They are here for your scientific interest only.

 

 

Letter number 23 written by Charles Darwin

 

Charles Darwin signed autograph manuscript from a draft of ''On the Origin of Species'', one of the most important books in the scientific canon. Darwin here writes a page from the Conclusion chapter, carefully and powerfully laying out his arguments for the theory of natural selection and evolution. Page reads in full, ''I have now recapitulated the chief facts and considerations, which have thoroughly convinced me that species have been modified, during a long course of descent, by the preservation on the natural selection of many successive slight favourable variations. I cannot believe that a false theory would explain, as it seems to me that the theory of natural selection does explain, the several large classes of facts above specified. It is no valid objection that science as yet throws no light on the far higher problem of the essence or origin of life. Who can explain what is the essence of attraction of gravity? No one now objects to following out the results consequent on this unknown element of attraction; notwithstanding that [Gottfried] Leibnitz formerly accused [Isaac] Newton of introducing 'occult qualities & miracles into philosophy.' - Charles Darwin''. Manuscript is numbered ''245.'' by Darwin at upper right, likely from a November 1859 first edition draft that was condensed from the original manuscript. Several years later, it was given to Hermann Kindt, editor of the ''Autographic Mirror'', who thanked Darwin for the manuscript in a letter dated 23 October 1865. Darwin signed the page as requested by Kindt, who added a note indicating that the text ended up as page 514 of the latest, 3rd edition. Single page has folds, light creasing and small spot of discoloration to right side. Overall in very good to near fine condition with legible writing and a bold signature by Darwin.


Charles Darwin Letter
 


Letter 1 : Letter 2 : Letter 3 : Letter 4 : Letter 5 : Letter 6 : Letter 7 : Letter 8 : Letter 9 : Letter 10 : Letter 11
Letter 12 : Letter 13 : Letter 14 : Letter 15 : Letter 16 : Letter 17 : Letter 18 : Letter 19 : Letter 20
Letter 21 : Letter 22 : Letter 23 : Letter 24 : Letter 25 : Letter 26 : Letter 27 : Letter 28: Letter 29 : Letter 30 : Letter 31
Letter 32 : Letter 33 : Letter 34 : Letter 35 : Letter 36 : Letter 37 :Letter 38 : Letter 39 : Letter 40 : Letter 41 : Letter 42
Letter 43 : Letter 44 : Letter 45 : Letter 46 : Letter 47 : Letter 48 : Letter 49



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