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.
 

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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