Order of the Proceedings Charles Darwin signed by Francis Darwin first 1909

Cambridge: University Press (1909)
 
Large 8vo., original beige quarter buckram with dark grey boards; lettered in gilt to upper board with the University of Cambridge crest in red; pp. [vii], 8-23, [i]; with a frontispiece of Charles Darwin, a map of Cambridge and 10 further illustrations; a lovely example, with a minor bump to the top right hand of the upper board and a moderate bump to the corresponding side on the lower board, there is a pen mark to the buckram on the lower board; Overall though near-fine. 
 
First and only edition, signed by the event organiser and co-author, Francis Darwin to the front free end paper. 
 
In 1909, more than 400 scientists and dignitaries from 167 countries met in Cambridge to honour Darwin's contributions and to discuss vigorously the recent discoveries and related theories contesting for acceptance. This was a widely reported event of public interest, organised by the university in collaboration with Charles Darwin's family. Francis Darwin was a key member of the celebration committee, and arranged for amongst other tasks, for his father's library to be on display at the Botany School. He also, with his brothers, hosted a garden party on the last evening to close the event.
 
For this lavishly made order of the proceedings, Francis Darwin contributed photos and illustrations along with a great deal of input into the sketch of his father's life. He was one of the co-authors, and the committee leaned on his already published works about Charles Darwin. 
 
The event would mark 100 years since Charles Darwin's birth, and 50 years since he published 'On the Origin of Species'. The order of the proceedings was a smart item for leading scientists and dignitaries to carry around with and as a memento of the event. This association copy is as good as it gets, being one of the event organisers and Charles Darwin's son's copy, with his signature in the front of the book, dated in the year of the event.