Louis Figuier / Riou - La Terre avant le déluge - 1874

Fascinating illustrated edition of 25 ideal views of landscapes of the ancient world drawn by Riou, 345 other figures and 8 colored geological maps. This popular-science work by Louis Figuier offers a vast fresco of geological ages and the planet’s transformations before the appearance of man -

The text presents, in a clear and accessible style, the great steps of the history of the Earth according to the paleontological and geological knowledge of the 19th century, describing the landscapes, climates and characteristic species of each period -

Riou’s illustrations, precise and spectacular, bring to life the vanished worlds, peopled with luxuriant vegetation, gigantic reptiles and strange marine creatures, contributing to fix the visual imagination of prehistory -

Louis Figuier / Riou - The Earth Before the Deluge - 1874 - Hachette et Cie -
548 pages

Good condition of the binding, the work in its half-chagrin edition binding, percaline covers, slight signs of wear, some minor defects on the cover (faded, gilding on the spine partly erased), joints and heads worn, gilded edges, back with ornamental raised cords, titling and author’s name gilded, metal-pressed rules framing the covers –

Good interior condition, paper somewhat yellowed, a bit warped, some foxing often heavy, some stains including ink and smudges, creases, several pages wrinkled, the work enriched with charming engravings off-text including frontispiece: 25 ideal views of landscapes of the ancient world drawn by Riou, 345 other figures and 8 colored geological maps, modern endpapers in good condition, a pleasant copy -

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