Principles of Geology, Being an Attempt to Explain the Former Changes of the Earth's Surface, By Reference to Causes Now in Operation. by Lyell, Charles - 1830-32-33 First Edition

London: John Murray, 1830-32-33 First Edition. xv,511,(1); xxxi,(1),398,109,(1),xii,330 pp. Octavo. 3 volumes. Bound in contemporary half green morocco. Spine in 6 compartments. Title label. Remaining compartments elaborately stamped in blind. Raised bands with gilt tooling. Gilt coat of arms in the top panel. Leather corners to match. All edges marbled. Armorial bookplate on the pastedown of each volume. 2 hand coloured aquatints. 6 uncoloured engraved plates. 3 maps, 2 of which are handcoloured. Internally tight and clean with numerous woodcut engravings. A clean and crisp copy. A richly bound set of one of the most influential scientific texts of the 19th Century. Lyell's thesis that geological processes operate over vast time scales influenced and helped Charles Darwin form his theory of Decent with Modification, the cornerstone to Evolution. Darwin knew that Decent with Modification would take vast amounts of time to generate the diversity he observed everywhere, and Lyell's work granted Darwin the time scales he needed to make the theory viable. Gorlier/Horblit 70; Norman 1398.</p><p></p><p>Sir William Milner's copy from Nun Appleton Hall and bound with the family coat of arms in the top panel on the spines. It was a presentation copy from Wm Salmon to Milner. The 20th century owner was L R Wager, British geologist, explorer and mountaineer. He was a unique geological talent and made an attempt on Everest in 1933. </p><p></p><p>A wonderful copy with a great provenance. 1830