The natural history of the human species: its typical forms, primeval distribution, filiations, and migrations ... With a preliminary abstract of the views of Blumenbach, Prichard, Bachman, Agassiz, and other authors of repute on the subject, by S. Kneeland, Jr.
Boston: Gould and Lincoln, 1851. First American edition, 8vo, pp. [2] ads, xiv, 15-423, [1], [8] ads; 11 lithographic plates depict phrenological illustrations of various races; original blind-stamped green cloth with gilt lettering; contemporary ownership signature on front endpaper; bookplate of James Mead, Curator Emeritus of Marine Mammals at the Smithsonian; binder's ticket of B. Dawson; 2 gatherings sprung else very good. An influential work in the field of natural history that focuses on categorizing the human race into zoological subdivisions. Most of the text is dedicated to describing the biological and phrenological features of various races, and how these features influenced their respective culture, religion, and intelligence. Smith subscribed to polygenism: a popular theory of the era that mankind arose from multiple species, rather than a single common ancestor. Sabin 82393. Item #59970
Price: $150.00
