On The Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection,

Fifth Edition, Presentation Copy, inscribed by the publisher's clerk, “From the author”, on the half-title, as usual. This edition sees the first use by Darwin of Herbert Spencer's phrase “survival of the fittest”, appearing in the heading of chapter IV and in the text. Darwin had expressed concern about the price of his book after learning that Lancashire labourers were forced to club together to be able to afford a copy. John Murray therefore produced two versions of the fifth edition: the cheaper volume sold for 7/6 and used a very small typeface; this copy is of the standard version, which continued to be sold for 15 shillings.

8vo. Original green fine sand-grain cloth, titles to spine gilt, decorative panels blocked in blind to sides, black endpapers: Freeman's variant “c” binding. Folding lithographic diagram. Bound without the advertisements sometimes found in other copies. Modern bookplate of Nils Fries (1912–1994) professor of physiological and anatomical botany at Uppsala University, with his pencilled note at back noting his acquisition of the book in Sweden, 21 June 1952. Extremities rubbed, corners just worn, inner hinges cracked but holding, some quires starting, with resultant proud fore-edges slightly frayed; overall a little shaken, but a good copy.