Ɛpsilon

From Giovanni Canestrini1   22 October 1875

Padova

22/10 75

Hochgeehrtester Herr,

Die Unione tipografico-editrice torinese hat mir mitgetheilt dass ein Theil der Zweiten Auflage der Variation under Domestication bereits erschienen ist;2 wollen Sie, geehrtester Herr, so gefällig sein, mir das bereits erschienene direkt nach Padova zu senden, und dasselbe zu thun mit den in der Folge erscheinenden Bogen. In dieser Weise werden wir im Stande sein, die Uebersetzung ins italienische der zweiten Auflage in Kurzer Frist auf das Erscheinen der englischen folgen zu lassen.

Nach der Veröffentlichung der oben genannten Uebersetzung hoffe ich auch die Uebersetzung Ihres Werkes Expression of Emotions gleich zu publicieren, da die Arbeit nahezu vollendet ist, und die oben genannte Union sich mit Herrn Murray bezüglich der Clichets und Photographien zu verständigen gedenkt.3

Die Uebersetzung des Werkes Origin of Species ist fast ganz veröffentlicht, es fehlen nur noch zwei Hefte, das eine mit den letzten Kapiteln, das anderes mit meinen Noten, und einem Anhange, in dem die italienische Literatur über Ihre Theorie zusammengestellt ist. Die Noten selbst enthalten meistens Auszüge von Arbeiten italienischer Forscher, die auf Ihre Ideen Bezug haben.4

Mit der grössten Achtung | Ergebenster | Prof. G. Canestrini.

CD annotations

3.1 Die Uebersetzung … haben. 3.5] scored pencil
3.3 Literatur] ‘([Correcting])’ in left margin pencil
1
For a translation of this letter, see Appendix I.
2
Although Variation 2d ed. had an 1875 imprint, it was published only in the second half of February 1876 (Publishers’ circular, 1 March 1876, p. 168); the Italian translation appeared in 1876 (Canestrini trans. 1876). Proof-sheets of all of the first volume were probably not yet available (see letter to Gustavus Fritsche, 27 October 1875). Unione Tipografico-Editrice of Turin was publishing a number of CD’s works in Italian; Canestrini was the translator.
3
An Italian translation of Expression was published by Unione Typografico-Editrice (Canestrini and Bassani trans. 1878); CD’s publisher, John Murray, was supplying copies of the heliotype prints of the photographs and clichés (stereotypes) of the engraved illustrations to the Italian publisher (see letter from R. F. Cooke, 12 October 1875 and n. 1).
4
Canestrini’s translation of Origin 6th ed. was published in 1875 (Canestrini trans. 1875).

From Giovanni Canestrini1   22 October 1875

Padua

22/10 75

Dear Sir,

Unione tipografico-editrice of Turin has informed me that a part of the second edition of Variation under Domestication has already appeared;2 would you be so kind, dear sir, as to send me the already published part directly to Padua, and to do the same with the following sheets as they appear. This way we will be in a position to have the Italian translation of the second edition follow the English one in good time.

After the publication of the above named translation I hope to also publish Expression of Emotions at the same time, since the work is almost completed, and the above named Union intends to come to an understanding with Mr Murray regarding the clichés and photographs.3

The translation of Origin of Species is almost completely printed off, only two sections are wanting, the final chapter for one, my notes and an afterword in which Italian literature on your theory is collected for another. The notes themselves include mostly extracts from works of Italian researchers that have a connection to your ideas.4

With best regards | yours | Prof. G. Canestrini.

1
For a transcription of this letter in its original German, see p. 410.
2
Although Variation 2d ed. had an 1875 imprint, it was published only in the second half of February 1876 (Publishers’ circular, 1 March 1876, p. 168); the Italian translation appeared in 1876 (Canestrini trans. 1876). Proof-sheets of all of the first volume were probably not yet available (see letter to Gustavus Fritsche, 27 October 1875). Unione Tipografico-Editrice of Turin was publishing a number of CD’s works in Italian; Canestrini was the translator.
3
An Italian translation of Expression was published by Unione Typografico-Editrice (Canestrini and Bassani trans. 1878); CD’s publisher, John Murray, was supplying copies of the heliotype prints of the photographs and clichés (stereotypes) of the engraved illustrations to the Italian publisher (see letter from R. F. Cooke, 12 October 1875 and n. 1).
4
Canestrini’s translation of Origin 6th ed. was published in 1875 (Canestrini trans. 1875).

Please cite as “DCP-LETT-10220,” in Ɛpsilon: The Charles Darwin Collection accessed on 5 June 2025, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/dcp-data/letters/DCP-LETT-10220