Les Papillons. Métamorphoses terrestres des peuple de L'Air, in 2 volumes

Pp. (5), 1-258, (1, index); (8), 1-232; 35 hand-colored plates (2 engraved color frontispieces, 33 engraved color wood engravings).  Publisher’s original one-quarter calf leather over red textured cloth boards, spine with elaborate gilt decorations surrounding the volume title and number, all page edges with speckles, sm 4to (10 3/4 x 7 1/4 inches; 274 x 186 mm).  The text by Nus and Meray are illustrated with fanciful-inspired and characterized butterflies by Amédée Varin.  The beautiful hand-colored illustrations are like those seen in Grandville, Les Papillons.  They show anthropomorphic depictions of butterflies in a precursor of Surrealism.  No ownership marks and only a few signs of use.