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From Giovanni Canestrini1   29 July 1875

GABINETTO DI ZOOLOGIA | ed Anatomia Comparata | della R. Universita’ di Padova

li 29 Luglio 1875

Hochgeehrtester Herr,

Ein gewissenloses Betragen des Verlegers Zanichelli hat bisher die Veröffentlichung der Uebersetzung Ihres Werkes über das Variiren der Thiere u. Pflanzen im domesticirten Zustande gehindert.2 Nun aber wird die Unione tipografico-editrice torinese die Uebersetzung veröffentlichen; Ihrem Wunsche gemäss werden wir die zweite Auflage, die im November erscheinen wird, abwarten, um jene Zusätze und Modificazionen einzuführen, die die zweite Auflage mit sich bringt. Die Uebersetzung der ersten Ausgabe ist schon seit Jahren fertig.3

In der Zwischenzeit wünschten wir die Uebersetzung Ihres Werkes zu pubbliciren: The expression of the emotions in man and animals, von mir und einem meiner Schüler zu vollenden, und ich wende mich an Sie, hochgeehrtester Herr, um die Erlaubniss der Uebersetzung ins italienische zu erhalten.4

Ueber die Stereotipen und Tafeln wird sich die oben genannte Unione tipografica mit Herrn Murray verständigen;5 ich will keine Vermittlung mehr in solchen Dingen übernehmen.

Es ist jetzt im Drucke die zweite Auflage der Uebersetzung Ihres Werkes: Entstehung der Arten, ecc., mit dem in der 6ten Edition des Originals enthaltenen Zusätzen, und sind bereits vier Hefte erschienen.6

Ihre Theorie macht in Italien grosse Fortschritte, und mit ihr eine wissenschaftliche Anschauung in allen Zweigen der Naturwissenschaft.

Mit der höchsten Achtung ergebenster | Prof. G Canestrini

CD annotations

Top of letter: ‘Expression of the Emotions’ ink; ‘Corrections for Expression despatched’ ink circled ink
End of letter: ‘Dr Fritsche. Polish Edition.’7 ink
1
For a translation of this letter, see Appendix I.
2
Canestrini had asked CD for permission to translate Variation into Italian in 1868 (see Correspondence vol. 16, letter from Giovanni Canestrini, 14 May 1868). On problems with the publisher Nicola Zanichelli in 1870, see Correspondence vol. 18, letter from Giovanni Canestrini, 21 April 1870).
3
An Italian translation based on Variation 2d ed. was published in 1876 by Unione Typografico-Editrice in Turin (Canestrini trans. 1876).
4
The student was Francesco Bassani. An Italian translation of Expression was published by Unione Typographico-Editrice (Canestrini and Bassani trans. 1878). There had been some earlier confusion about the rights to translate Expression into Italian (see Correspondence vol. 21, letter from C. I. F. Major, 6 February 1873 and n. 2).
5
CD and his publisher, John Murray, had negotiated charges with foreign translators for the photographic plates of Expression (see Correspondence vol. 20, letter from R. F. Cooke, 1 August 1872).
6
The second Italian edition of Origin was Canestrini trans. 1875.
7
Gustavus Fritsche had visited CD in February; he hoped to translate Variation 2d ed. into Polish (see letter to Gustavus Fritsche, 13 February 1875, and letter from Gustavus Fritsche, 23 October 1875).

From Giovanni Canestrini1   29 July 1875

GABINETTO DI ZOOLOGIA | ed Anatomia Comparata | della R. Universita’ di Padova

29 July 1875

Dear Sir,

Unscrupulous behaviour by the publisher Zanichelli has so far prevented the publication of the translation of your work on the variation of animals and plants under domestication.2 Now however the Unione tipografico-editrice Torinese will publish the translation. In accordance with your wishes we will await the second edition, which will appear in November, so that every addition and modification of the second edition can be inserted. The translation of the first edition has been ready for years.3

In the meantime we would like to publish the translation of your work: The expression of the emotions in man and animals, to be completed by me and my student, and I request that you, most respected sir, grant me the Italian translation rights.4

The above named Unione tipografica has come to an agreement with Mr Murray over the stereotypes and tables;5 I will undertake no further negotiation in such matters.

The second edition of the translation of your work: Origin of species etc., with additions from the 6th edition of the original, is now in the press and four fascicles have already appeared.6

Your theory is making great strides in Italy, and with it a scientific outlook in all branches of natural science.

With best regards | yours | Prof. G Canestrini

1
For a transcription of this letter in its original German, see pp. 303–4.
2
Canestrini had asked CD for permission to translate Variation into Italian in 1868 (see Correspondence vol. 16, letter from Giovanni Canestrini, 14 May 1868). On problems with the publisher Nicola Zanichelli in 1870, see Correspondence vol. 18, letter from Giovanni Canestrini, 21 April 1870).
3
An Italian translation based on Variation 2d ed. was published in 1876 by Unione Typografico-Editrice in Turin (Canestrini trans. 1876).
4
The student was Francesco Bassani. An Italian translation of Expression was published by Unione Typographico-Editrice (Canestrini and Bassani trans. 1878). There had been some earlier confusion about the rights to translate Expression into Italian (see Correspondence vol. 21, letter from C. I. F. Major, 6 February 1873 and n. 2).
5
CD and his publisher, John Murray, had negotiated charges with foreign translators for the photographic plates of Expression (see Correspondence vol. 20, letter from R. F. Cooke, 1 August 1872).
6
The second Italian edition of Origin was Canestrini trans. 1875.

Please cite as “DCP-LETT-10102,” in Ɛpsilon: The Charles Darwin Collection accessed on 5 June 2025, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/dcp-data/letters/DCP-LETT-10102