1907 first edition geology book | 760 photos | Art Nouveau leather binding
A Collector’s Treasure of Earth’s Ancient Story
Presented by Artifex Spaces
This 1907 first edition of La Terre: Ses Aspects, Sa Structure, Son Évolution is a breathtaking fusion of early geological science and Art Nouveau book design. Authored by Aug. Robin and richly illustrated with 760 photographs, 53 fossil tables, and three fold-out color maps, it explores Earth's shifting crust, fossil record, and climatic evolution with both academic rigor and artistic vision.
Bound in quarter leather with copper-gilded edges and intricate spine embossing, this French-language volume is as much a tactile art object as a scholarly text. It hails from the Lockley Estate, home to renowned paleontologist Dr. Martin Lockley, and previously resided in the Colorado College Library, deaccessioned in 1947.
📚 Highlights
• First edition, Paris 1907
• 760 photographic illustrations
• 53 fossil classification tables
• 3 full-color fold-out maps
• Art Nouveau quarter-leather binding with copper-gilded edges
• Provenance: Colorado College (1947), then Dr. Martin Lockley
• Published by Librairie J.-B. Baillière et Fils (Paris)
📖 Condition
• Very Good — Structurally intact and richly illustrated
• Quarter leather binding with deep green boards
• Spine firm; minor wear to board edges
• Clean pages with minor library mark (title page, top left)
• Fold-out maps fully intact
📐 Size & Shelf Presence
Oversized and weighty with a stunning spine and copper sheen—ideal for display or collection anchoring.
📦 Shipping (U.S. Only)
• Free insured U.S. shipping
• Carefully wrapped and boxed for preservation
• Gift-ready packaging available upon request
A museum-worthy volume charting the story of our planet—crafted for both hand and eye.
Shipping from United States
Processing time
1-2 business days
Customs and import taxes
Buyers are responsible for any customs and import taxes that may apply. I'm not responsible for delays due to customs.
Payment Options
Returns & Exchanges
I gladly accept cancellations
Privacy policy
Privacy Policy for Crow Valley Writing House LLC
(DBA: The Artifex, Artifex Heirloom, and Artifex Manifestari)
At Crow Valley Writing House LLC (“The Artifex,” “Artifex Heirloom,” or “Artifex Manifestari”), we are a small business based in Colorado, and we take your privacy and security seriously.
We understand that shopping for rare books, heirloom-quality gifts, and literary collectibles requires trust. This Privacy Policy outlines how we handle your personal information, the steps we take to safeguard your data, and how you can control your information when shopping with us.
Our Commitment to Your Privacy
We never sell your information.
We protect your data with industry-standard security practices.
We only collect the information necessary to process your order.
We delete unnecessary data and never store payment details.
We prioritize transparency—so you always know how your data is handled.
If you have any questions, please contact us through the Etsy messaging portal for assistance.
To message us on Etsy, visit our shop and click "Message Seller":
https://artifexheirloom.etsy.com
How We Protect Your Information
We take data security seriously and implement industry best practices to prevent unauthorized access, misuse, or loss of your information.
Secure Account Practices
Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) is enabled on our accounts.
We use strong passwords and access restrictions to limit who can view order information.
Minimizing Data Storage
Etsy automatically includes full customer details (such as addresses) in order downloads.
We immediately delete these details after processing your order.
We never store payment information—all transactions are processed securely by Etsy or third-party payment providers.
Data Breach Protocol
In the unlikely event of a security breach, we will notify affected customers and work with our cybersecurity provider to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.
Want to secure your own Etsy account? Etsy provides security tips here:
https://help.etsy.com/hc/en-us/articles/115015569567-How-to-Make-Your-Account-More-Secure#h_2
What Information We Collect
To fulfill your order, we collect certain details shared with us by platforms such as Etsy, including:
Your name
Your email address
Your postal address
Payment details (processed securely through Etsy or Stripe)
Order details (items purchased, shipping information)
We do not store or retain your payment information. All transactions are securely processed by Etsy or third-party providers.
How We Use Your Information
We collect and use your information only for:
Fulfilling orders (processing payments, shipping, customer support).
Complying with legal obligations (such as tax record-keeping).
Improving our services (understanding trends, enhancing product offerings).
Preventing fraud and ensuring secure transactions.
We do not sell or share your information for marketing purposes.
Future Services & Personalized Recommendations (Planned Feature)
In the future, we may offer custom library development or gifting assistance, which would require collecting preferences such as:
Your literary interests
Your budget range
Your reading tastes
If you opt into these services, your information will remain confidential and will never be shared with third parties.
Cookies, Analytics & Online Tracking
To improve your shopping experience, we use Google Analytics, which helps us understand:
Which products and pages are most popular.
How visitors navigate our website.
Where traffic comes from (Google, social media, Etsy, etc.).
Your data remains anonymous—we do not collect names, email addresses, or personal details through analytics.
Google Ads & Future Advertising
We may use Google Ads or other online advertising services in the future to promote our products. These services may use cookies to track general shopping trends—but we do not track individual customer behavior or store identifiable information.
Opting Out of Tracking:
Use the Google Analytics Opt-Out Browser Add-On:
https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout
Adjust your browser settings to reject cookies.
Reviews & Public Feedback
We appreciate customer reviews and may use them to promote our business on Etsy, social media, or our website.
We will remove your last name before sharing any reviews publicly.
Want to change how your Etsy review displays? You can edit your Etsy username:
Go to Etsy Account → Edit Public Profile → "Your Name" to adjust your public name.
For more information about Etsy’s privacy policies, visit:
https://www.etsy.com/legal/privacy/
Need help changing your display name? Contact Etsy Support via the Etsy Help Center:
https://help.etsy.com/hc/en-us?segment=shopping
Data Retention & Deletion Policies
How long do we keep your information?
We retain only what is necessary to fulfill orders and comply with legal obligations (such as tax records).
Order information is deleted once your order is fulfilled (except for legally required records).
Unused or misprinted shipping labels are shredded for privacy.
We do not store customer addresses or payment details.
If you’d like us to delete any additional information we may hold about you, please message us via Etsy.
Newsletter & Marketing Communications (Planned Feature)
We may offer an optional newsletter with updates on:
New book collections & special releases
Gift ideas for book lovers
Rare book insights & expert tips
You will only receive marketing emails if you opt in. You can unsubscribe anytime using the link in our emails.
Contact Us
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, our security practices, or your data rights, please contact us via Etsy:
Visit our Etsy shop and click "Message Seller":
https://artifexheirloom.etsy.com
Thank You for Trusting Us
We appreciate every customer who chooses to shop with Artifex Heirloom. Every book, print, and heirloom-quality item we offer is selected with care and dedication.
Thank you for trusting us with your business—we value you. If you ever have any questions, concerns, or just want to chat about books, we're always happy to help.
To reach out, message us anytime at:
https://artifexheirloom.etsy.com
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you guarantee this is a first edition?
I conduct extensive research to determine publication details and clearly state when a book appears to be a first edition based on known markers. However, variations can occur, and absolute certainty isn’t always possible without specialized tools or certification. I aim to be transparent when something cannot be verified with confidence.
How do you determine the authenticity of your books?
Each book is carefully evaluated for publication details, materials, condition, and provenance. I also use AI tools to support bibliographic research and analysis. While I strive for accuracy, I am not a certified appraiser or authenticator—my descriptions reflect well-informed but informal observations.
Can I request a specific book or topic?
At this time, I do not take custom requests through Etsy. However, subscribers to the Dispatch may be invited to request personalized curation or sourcing on a limited basis. You can join here:
👉 artifexheirloom.myflodesk.com/join
Do you offer gift wrapping or personalized messages?
Yes! All orders are thoughtfully packaged, and complimentary gift wrapping + handwritten messages are available upon request. Just leave a note at checkout.
What makes your books unique?
Artifex Heirloom specializes in rare, antique, and collectible books with lasting beauty and meaning. Many are first editions, artist-illustrated, or historically significant works. Each one is hand-selected for its literary, artistic, or scholarly value—chosen for those who collect with intention.
Where do you get your books?
Books are carefully sourced from:
✔ Private collections
✔ Estate libraries
✔ Antiquarian book dealers
✔ Library deaccessions
Only a small percentage meet the standards for Artifex listings. The rest are archived, donated, or repurposed.
How should I care for a rare, vintage, or antique book?
To preserve your heirloom:
✔ Avoid direct sunlight
✔ Store in a cool, dry place
✔ Handle with clean hands
✔ Use bookmarks—never fold pages
✔ Keep away from extreme heat or humidity
Each book is unique. Treat it gently, and it will last generations.
What is your background with rare books?
I was raised in a family bookstore and have made a home among books for a lifetime. My background includes research, storykeeping, and preservation—skills shaped by years of academic inquiry and attentive care across disciplines.
Each book I offer is handled with that same reverence.
I don’t just list items—I steward stories, so they can be passed on with meaning and memory intact.
Do you ship internationally?
Currently, I ship within the United States only to keep things simple and sustainable.
That said, if you’re located internationally and see something you love, you’re welcome to reply to a Dispatch email or join the mailing list and send a note. I occasionally make exceptions for subscribers on a case-by-case basis.
✉️ Join here to stay in touch: artifexheirloom.myflodesk.com/join
Do you ship internationally?
Currently, I ship within the United States only to keep things simple and sustainable.
That said, if you’re located internationally and see something you love, you’re welcome to reply to a Dispatch email or join the mailing list and send a note. I occasionally make exceptions for subscribers on a case-by-case basis.
✉️ Join here to stay in touch: artifexheirloom.myflodesk.com/join
Do you ship internationally?
Currently, I ship within the United States only to keep things simple and sustainable.
That said, if you’re located internationally and see something you love, you’re welcome to reply to a Dispatch email or join the mailing list and send a note. I occasionally make exceptions for subscribers on a case-by-case basis.
✉️ Join here to stay in touch: artifexheirloom.myflodesk.com/join
Do you ship internationally?
Currently, I ship within the United States only to keep things simple and sustainable.
That said, if you’re located internationally and see something you love, you’re welcome to reply to a Dispatch email or join the mailing list and send a note. I occasionally make exceptions for subscribers on a case-by-case basis.
✉️ Join here to stay in touch: artifexheirloom.myflodesk.com/join