A letter from 1879 written by Charles Darwin is to be auctioned off next week.
The English naturalist's letter will be part of Lyon and Turnbull's rare books and manuscripts sale in Edinburgh. This year marks the 150th anniversary of Darwin's book On The Origin of Species, as well as the 200th anniversary of his birth.
The signed letter, believed to be worth £600, is addressed to Darwin's glove maker, a Mr Baxter, and refers to returning a pair of gloves Darwin describes as "not at all stronger or stiffer than the ones I possess", and asks for a pair to be "made with stiffer hairs or bristles".
Simon Vickers, book specialist at Lyon and Turnbull, said: "It is interesting to find everyday correspondence from the great man. After the publication of his book, he became so famous the ownership of his signature was worth more than the item he was buying."
At the foot of the letter is a note stating Mr Baxter had a pair of "Dinneford's friction gloves" made for Darwin.
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