SIGNED BY RONALD A. FISHER

FISHER, R. A. Contributions to Mathematical Statistics. New York: John Wiley & Sons, 1950. Quarto, original navy cloth.    $3000.

First edition of this compilation of Fisher’s important monographs in the field of statistics, a very scarce copy signed by him on the title page and dated 18 Dec 1957.

Each of the 43 papers reproduced here in facsimile is accompanied by a note by Fisher original to this volume. “An early landmark in the Fisherian revolution was his long paper ‘On the Mathematical Foundations of Theoretical Statistics’ [Paper 10 in this volume]. Convinced that the subject had progressed too haphazardly and lacked a solid mathematical base, he set out to repair the situation. He drew attention to the shortcomings of the method of moments in curve fitting, stressed the importance of exact sampling distributions, and moved toward a realistic view of estimation” (DSB). In addition to statistics, Fisher “left a deep mark” in the field of genetics, where he brought powerful new mathematical tools to bear, and a number of his original papers on genetics are included here as well. “Fisher came to regard natural selection as a study in its own right, with evolution as but one of several sequelae. His work on the phenomenon of dominance was outstanding” (DSB). Without original dust jacket. Owner signature.

Very nearly fine in original cloth. Very scarce and desirable signed.