The second page of the two page hand written letter signed 'C. Darwin'. 

An unpublished letter from Charles Darwin to his beloved mentor rejoicing in the unexpected success of On the Origin of Species has sold for £87,000.

The naturalist could not contain his excitement as he wrote about the positive reception to his seminal 1859 work outlining his theory of evolution.

He told his former Cambridge University teacher John Stevens Henslow in the 1860 correspondence that 'my book has been far more successful as yet than I dreamed of'.

He added that he believed the final two chapters, in which he analysed the mutual affinities of organic beings and provides his conclusion, were the 'strongest'.

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'War of the Worlds' film script - 13 Dec 2021

The first page of the two page hand written letter. 

An unpublished letter from Charles Darwin to his beloved mentor rejoicing in the unexpected success of On the Origin of Species has sold for £87,000.

The naturalist could not contain his excitement as he wrote about the positive reception to his seminal 1859 work outlining his theory of evolution.

He told his former Cambridge University teacher John Stevens Henslow in the 1860 correspondence that 'my book has been far more successful as yet than I dreamed of'.

He added that he believed the final two chapters, in which he analysed the mutual affinities of organic beings and provides his conclusion, were the 'strongest'.

Dallas Stars left wing Jamie Benn (14) listens to assistant coach John Stevens skate the ice during an NHL hockey practice in Frisco, Texas

Stars Hockey, Frisco, United States - 23 Sep 2021

Dallas Stars left wing Jamie Benn (14) listens to assistant coach John Stevens as they skate during an NHL hockey practice in Frisco, Texas

Dallas Stars Head Coach Rick Bowness and Assistant Coach John Stevens watch play during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Chicago Blackhawks, in Dallas

Blackhawks Stars Hockey, Dallas, United States - 07 Feb 2021

Sen. Janice Bowling, R-Tullahoma, left, talks with Sen. John Stevens, R-Huntingdon, during a meeting of the Senate Judiciary Committee, in Nashville, Tenn. The special session was called by Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee to pass liability reforms to protect businesses from lawsuits prompted by reopening after the coronavirus quarantine

Tennessee Legislature, Nashville, United States - 11 Aug 2020

John Stevens, Mike Bell. Sen. John Stevens, R-Huntingdon, right, speaks as Sen. Mike Bell, R-Riceville, left, waits his turn during debate on Stevens' concealed handgun carry permit legislation, in Nashville, Tenn

Session End Tennessee, Nashville, USA - 02 May 2019

Los Angeles Kings interim coach Willie Desjardins reacts to a question from reporters after his first practice with his new team on . Desjardins is taking over for the fired John Stevens with hopes of improving the Kings' NHL-worst start to the season

Kings-Desjardins, Los Angeles, USA - 05 Nov 2018

Los Angeles Kings interim coach Willie Desjardins reacts to a question from reporters after his first practice with his new team, in Los Angeles. Desjardins is taking over for the fired John Stevens with hopes of improving the Kings' NHL-worst start to the season

Kings-Desjardins Hockey, Los Angeles, USA - 05 Nov 2018

Los Angeles Kings head coach John Stevens, top, during an NHL hockey game against the New York Islanders in Los Angeles

Islanders Kings Hockey, Los Angeles, USA - 18 Oct 2018

Adam Peaty of Great Britain holds his gold medal won in the Men's 50m Breaststroke Final, with silver medallist Fabio Scozzoli of Italy - left & bronze medallist Peter John Stevens of Slovenia - right.

2018 European Championships, LEN European Aquatics Championships Swimming, Tollcross International Swimming Center, Glasgow, UK - 08 August 2018

Great Britain's Adam Peaty wins gold in the mens 50m Breaststroke final with.Italy's Fabio Scozzoli taking silver and Slovenia's Peter John Stevens taking bronze.

Glasgow 2018 European Championship Swimming - 08 Aug 2018

Silver medalist Fabio Scozzoli of Italy, left, gold medalist Adam Peaty of Great Britain, bronze medalist Peter John Stevens of Slovenia pose on the podium of the 50 meter breaststroke men final at the European Swimming Championships in Glasgow, Scotland

Britain Swimming European Championships, Glasgow, United Kingdom - 08 Aug 2018

'Sherlock Gnomes' family gala screening, London, UK - 22 Apr 2018

(L-R) Steve Hamilton Shaw, John Stevens, Carolyn Soper, Jamie Demetriou, Sir Elton John, James McAvoy, Ashley Jensen and Stephen Merchant

John Stevens of Cornish Pirates on the break handing off Jake Sharp of London Scottish during the Greene King IPA RFU Championship match between Cornish Pirates and London Scottish at the Mennaye Field on March 25th 2018, Penzance, Cornwall

Cornish Pirates v London Scottish, Penzance UK - 25 March 2018

Los Angeles Kings coach John Stevens gestures to his team during the third period against the Colorado Avalanche in an NHL hockey game, in Denver. The Kings won 7-1

Kings Avalanche Hockey, Denver, USA - 22 Mar 2018

Joe Quinn of Hartpury is tackled by John Stevens of Cornish Pirates during the Greene King IPA Championship Match between Hartpury and Cornish Pirates at Gillmans Ground, Hartpurt, Gloucestershire on March 13.

Hartpury v Cornish Pirates, Hartpury, UK - 17 Mar 2018

Try Celebrations for John Stevens of Cornish Pirates during the Greene King IPA Championship Match between Hartpury and Cornish Pirates at Gillmans Ground, Hartpurt, Gloucestershire on March 13.

John Stevens of Cornish Pirates pushes away Jacob Perry of Hartpury during the Greene King IPA Championship Match between Hartpury and Cornish Pirates at Gillmans Ground, Hartpurt, Gloucestershire on March 13.

Try celebrations for John Stevens of Cornish Pirates during the Greene King IPA Championship Match between Hartpury and Cornish Pirates at Gillmans Ground, Hartpurt, Gloucestershire on March 13.

John Stevens of Cornish Pirates goes over for a try during the Greene King IPA Championship Match between Hartpury and Cornish Pirates at Gillmans Ground, Hartpurt, Gloucestershire on March 13.

Los Angeles Kings head coach John Stevens during an NHL hockey game against the Chicago Blackhawks, in Los Angeles

Blackhawks Kings Hockey, Los Angeles, USA - 03 Mar 2018

Los Angeles Kings head coach John Stevens stands behind his bench during an NHL hockey game against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Pittsburgh

Kings Penguins Hockey, Pittsburgh, USA - 15 Feb 2018

Los Angeles Kings head coach John Stevens watches the action during an NHL hockey game against the New York Rangers, in Los Angeles

Rangers Kings Hockey, Los Angeles, USA - 21 Jan 2018

Los Angeles Kings head coach John Stevens, top, sends instructions from the bench during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the San Jose Sharks, in San Jose, Calif

Kings Sharks Hockey, San Jose, USA - 23 Dec 2017

Los Angeles Kings head coach John Stevens watches his team take on the St. Louis Blues in the first period at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis on December 1, 2017.

NHL Kings Blues, St. Louis, Missouri, United States - 01 Dec 2017

Los Angeles Kings coach John Stevens, center, looks on during an NHL hockey game against the Tampa Bay Lightning, in Los Angeles

Lightning Kings Hockey, Los Angeles, USA - 09 Nov 2017

Los Angeles Kings head coach John Stevens, center, draws up a play during a preseason NHL hockey game against the Anaheim Ducks, in Los Angeles

Ducks KIngs Hockey, Los Angeles, USA - 30 Sep 2017

Los Angeles Kings head coach John Stevens, center, looks on from the bench during a preseason NHL hockey game against the Anaheim Ducks, in Los Angeles

Los Angeles Kings head coach John Stevens looks on from the bench during a preseason NHL hockey game against the Anaheim Ducks, in Los Angeles

Los Angeles Kings head coach John Stevens watches his team play against the Vegas Golden Knights during the third period of an NHL preseason hockey game, in Las Vegas

Golden Knights Kings Hockey, Las Vegas, USA - 26 Sep 2017

Los Angeles Kings coach John Stevens watches his team play against the Vegas Golden Knights during the third period of an NHL preseason hockey game, in Las Vegas

Cornish Pirates, John Stevens during the Cornish Pirates Team Photos at the Mennaye Field, Penzance, Cornwall.

John stevens editorial images

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