Leipzig and Wien, Verlag des Bibliographischen Instituts, 1904. Small folio (35.4 x 26.3 cm). Title page, [ii] pp.; 100 breathtakingly beautiful, mostly lithographed plates of which the majority are coloured or tinted, some with overlays, and each with explanatory text leaf. Original printed Jugendstil (Art Nouveau) printed cloth. Patterned endpapers. Marbled edges.

First edition, second issue (first bound edition), of this famous and marvellous work. Ernst Heinrich Philipp August Haeckel (1834-1919) was the man who popularized Charles Darwin's work in Germany. He was a doctor, then became a professor in comparative anatomy, as well as a zoologist and a philosopher, but he was also a great artist, as is shown on these very special plates. This work had a considerable influence on decorative design in the "Jugendstil" or "Art Nouveau" period during the beginning of the 20th century and depicts bizarre, real forms and structures found in animal and plant life. Most of the plates are chromolithographs, some are plain lithographs. Others are photographic plates, halftone plates or combinations of different techniques, which makes it a special publication in regard to printing techniques. This book was first issued in 11 parts with pictorial wrappers; once the total printing was finished in 1904, this bound version was published. A near mint copy, which is very rare indeed. Evers, Ornamentale Vorlagenwerke, 2125; Nissen ZBI, 1783; Schneider-Henn, Ornament und Dekoration, 220.