Originally published in 1840-1842, this facsimile edition published in 1994 by The Royal Geographical Society, London, in 4 volumes is limited to 1000 numbered copies and signed by Dr. John Hemming, Director and Secretary of the Royal Geographical Society. With 146 plates, 82 of which are in colour, and a large folding plate to vol. I. 4 volumes 4to ((12 1/2 x 9 3/4 inches), publisher's half tan calf gilt, marbled boards. The 4 volumes in truly excellent condition, AS GOOD AS NEW. The four volumes comprise: Vol.I. Fossil Mammalia. by Robert Owen. Vol.II. Mammalia. by George Waterhouse. Vol.III. Birds by John Gould. Vol.IV. Fish by Leonard Jenyns; together with Reptillia by Thomas Bell. This set was printed and bound to match Darwin's personal copy. Weight nearly 10 kg. Charles Robert Darwin (1809-1882), naturalist; grandson of Erasmus Darwin, was educated at Shrewsbury, Edinburgh University, and Christ’s College, Cambridge. He embarked as a naturalist, by invitation of Captain FitzRoy on board the Beagle, bound for South America on a scientific expedition in 1831, returning to England in 1836. In 1840 he published the present work. Darwin first gave definite written shape to his theory of evolution by natural selection in 1844. The original set came with a wooden box but this box is not included as I do not have it anymore.