Les Vilaines Bêtes (The Nasty Beasts), Armand Leyritz, c.1890s, Illustrated French Natural History Book

A beautifully illustrated French natural history book exploring “ugly beasts” such as spiders, bats, and moths, written by Armand Leyritz with a preface by Max de Nansouty.

Published in Paris by F. Juven & Cie., this late 19th-century edition features black-and-white engravings throughout and a richly illustrated color title page by Druillet.

Bound in half leather with gilt spine decoration, marbled boards, and striking marbled endpapers in deep red, gold, and blue. A delightful example of fin-de-siècle French bookmaking that combines science, literature, and art.

No copyright date listed.