Here are two gorgeous big natural history books with delicate watercolor illustrations by Edward J. Detmold.  Each of them is bound in green cloth with much gilt decoration on cover and spine.  They measure 7-1/2" x 10" and are quite heavy, with high-quality paper.  The illustrations are beautifully printed on glossy paper and tipped onto buff-colored backing pages.  The texts are classics in their field, authoritative and accurate and suitable for any age.  These are very special books, and lovely too.
 

NON-FICTION CATALOGS FEATURES AMERICANA BIOGRAPHY CIVIL WAR GARDENING HISTORY NATURAL HISTORY PHILOSOPHY TRAVEL WOMEN'S My Friends  are Authors! How to order This is a self-made website by little old me, and while it might be big, it is not sophisticated.  The little  icon takes you to a generic order form where you can type in the author, title, price, and indicate whether you would like to send me a check or PayPal payment.  I will confirm availability via e-mail, and once I've received payment, I'll ship the book.  It's that easy.  If you have questions,  please don't hesitate to ask  via email. Condition Grades There's a standard bookseller vocabulary, with terms like Fine, Very Good, Good and Poor to assess condition (to see these terms defined, click on the link above).  Most of my books are in Very Good or better condition, and I tend to overemphasize their flaws so that any surprise is a pleasant one.  Feel free to ask questions, and if the book isn't in the condition described, you may return it for a full refund.  Wants Lists If I don't have the book you seek in stock, I will retain your book search in my wants files and email you when I do have a copy for sale. If you don't hear back from me immediately, that probably means I don't have a copy right now.  But fear not,  I keep extensive files and never stop looking....  so send me your request;  you've got nothing to lose! Not listed? Not everything is listed on-line. Let me know what you're looking for. Book Search Form In Print Books If it's in print, I can get it for you. Just ask me.

THE LIFE OF THE BEE, by Maurice Maeterlinck.  Translated by Alfred Sutro, illustrated by Edward J. Detmold.  Published by Dodd, Mead and Company, NY, 1912, First American Edition.  There are 12 tipped-in color plates, differing sizes, plus a frontispiece.  I scanned the frontis and one of the other illustrations, but the colors are more intense (though still delicate) in the actual book.   Click on the images above for even bigger pictures.  There is no damage or wear or marks or tears in the book, but the cover shows a small bit of rubbing on the edge tips.  There are later editions of this book with fewer illustrations and a smaller size format, but this is the deluxe edition.   <SOLD> FABRE'S BOOK OF INSECTS, Retold from Alexander Teixeira De Mattos' Translation of Fabre's "Souvenirs Entomologiques" by Mrs. Rodolph Stawell, illustrated by E.J. Detmold.  Published by Tudor Publishing Company, NY, 1936, 4th printing (copyright 1921).  There are 16 chapters, each dealing with a different insect described in an entertaining and direct way, with scientific accuracy.  The illustrations are wonderful, luscious watercolors printed on glossy paper and tipped onto creamy backing sheets and covered by printed tissue guards.  There are 12 of these illustrations, and my favorite is the praying mantis, which I did not scan because the book is tight and I was afraid opening it in the middle for the scanner might damage it.  Click on the images above for even bigger pictures.  This is also the deluxe edition of this book, and it is in very good condition.  $85.00