Free Vintage Animal Prints from Jardine’s Naturalist’s Library

Explore grouped vintage animal prints of mammals from Jardine’s Naturalist’s Library. These free public domain illustrations are perfect for classroom use, creative projects, and nature-themed home decor.

A Hidden Gem of Vintage Animal Prints

If you’ve enjoyed the popular Adolphe Millot animal charts featured here on Pictureboxblue, you’re going to love this collection too. This post is part one of a three-part series diving into Leaves from the Book of Nature—a stunning compilation of vintage animal prints drawn from Jardine’s famous Naturalist’s Library.

This time, I’m focusing on mammals; you’ll find everything from lions and leopards to kangaroos, squirrels, and sloths. These hand-colored engravings are full of character and historical charm—and best of all, they’re in the public domain and free to download.

What are Leaves from the Book of Nature?

Published in the 19th century, this book is essentially a greatest-hits collection of plates from Jardine’s massive 40-volume Naturalist’s Library. The illustrations were engraved by W.H. Lizars, a top Scottish engraver (who also briefly worked with Audubon), and they were hand-coloured to bring the animals to life.

Rather than just one animal per page, the book cleverly groups them onto larger plates, like vintage educational posters—think of them as early infographic-style prints, made to educate and delight.

Book Cover

Animal Charts with a Victorian Twist

Each plate features multiple mammals arranged by species, family, or theme. This chart-like layout gives the illustrations a fantastic poster quality, which makes them perfect for:

• Classroom displays or homeschooling
• Nature-inspired gallery walls or decor
• Crafting, scrapbooking, or journaling
• Educational reference and vintage art lovers alike

They’re like the Victorian version of the Millot charts—brimming with charm and curiosity.

Free to Download & Use

I’ve selected and cleaned up some of my favourite mammal plates from the book, and you can download them for free in high resolution. Because they’re public domain, you’re free to use them for personal or commercial projects—no strings attached.

Click on the title above the vintage animal chart you want, and a higher resolution image will open in a new tab, which you can then save or print.

Monkeys, Leaves 1, 2 & 3

The first three leaves of Leaves from the Book of Nature feature detailed illustrations of Old World monkeys, including baboons and macaques. Grouped in the style of early scientific charts, these prints blend Victorian artistry with natural history, offering a fascinating glimpse into 19th-century zoological studies.

1. The Douce or Cochin-China
2. Monkey. The Entelus Monkey.
3. The Hoolock
4. The Black Orang.
5. The Young Rhesus Monkey,
6. The Siamang.
7. The Simpai.
8. Kahau or Proboscis Monkey.
9. The Red or Asiatic Orangutan (male).
10. Active Gibbon
11. The Red or Asiatic Orangutan (female).

Monkeys 1

Monkeys Leaf 2

1. The Red Monkey.
2. The Drill.
3. Varied Monkey.
4. The Mangabey or White-eyelid Monkey.
5. Mandril or Rib-nosed Baboon.
6. The Chacma.
7. The Araguaio.
8. Barbary Ape.
9. Wanderoo Monkey.
10. Green Monkey.

Monkey Animal Print 2

Monkeys on leaf 3

1. Striated Monkey.
2. The Siamiri.
3. The Couxio.
4. Large-headed Sapajou.
5. The Douroucouli.
6. Horned Sapajou.
7. Leonine Tamarin.
8. The Coita.
9. Silky Tamarin.
10. The Cacajao

Monkey Animal Poster 3

Lions, Tigers & Felines Leaves 4, 5 & 6

The following leaves of Leaves from the Book of Nature capture the drama of the animal kingdom’s greatest predators. Lions, tigers, leopards, and other wild cats are grouped in striking, hand-coloured prints that blend Victorian science with bold artistic flair.

The site features a collection of vintage tiger illustrations.

Lioness with Cubs

1. Asiatic Lion.
2. African Lion.
3. Ditto.
4. Black Puma.
5. The Leopard.
6. The Puma.
7. The Tiger.
8. A hybrid between a Lion and a Tiger

Lions & Tigers Poster 1

Felines

1. Riman-Dahan or Tree Tiger
2. Bengal Cat.
3. The Jaguar.
4. American Panther.
5. Onea or Jaguar.
6. The Ounce.
7. Javanese Cat.
8. The Chati (female)
9. Diard’s Cat
10. Hunting Leopard.
11. The Ocelot.
12. The Ocelot.
13. Sumatran Cat

Felines Print

Leaf 6 Felines 2

1. Nepaul Cat
2. Angora Cat
3. Diard’s Cat.
4. The Serval.
5. The Colocolo.
6. Canada Lynx.
7. Egyptian Cat.
8. Servaline Cat.
9. The Caracal.
10. Common Wild Cat
11. European Lynx.
12. Booted Lynx.
13. The Chaus
14. Himalayan Serval

Leaf 6 Felines 2

Dogs, Leaves 7-12

The next six leaves of Leaves from the Book of Nature focus on members of the dog family, from fierce wolves and cunning foxes to spotted hyenas and familiar domestic breeds. Grouped by type, these hand-coloured prints capture the diversity and character of canines in vivid Victorian detail, offering a fascinating mix of wild and tamed species for natural history enthusiasts.

Leaf 1 Dogs

1. Alpine or Great St. Bernard Dog, with King Charles’ Spaniel.
2. Esquimaux Dog.
3. Newfoundland Dog.
4. Feral Dog of St. Domingo.
5. Boar Hound of Germany
6. Shepherd’s or Sheep Dog.
7. The Alco and Carrier Dog of the Indians.
8. Dogs of the North American Indians

Dogs 1

Wolfs Dogs 2

1. Dhole of Ceylon
2. Mexican Wolf,
3. New Holland Dingo.
4. Dhole of India.
5. Dhole of Sumatra.
6. Black Wolf
7. Caygotte of Mexico.
8. Dusky Wolf.
9. North American Prairie Wolf
10. Common Wolf
11. Painted Thous Dog.

Dogs 2

Foxes Dogs 3

1. Cape Thous Dog.
2. Fennec of Bruce and Red-Backed Fennec.
3. Senegal Thous Dog.
4. Pale Dog Fox.
5. Common Jackal.
6. Maned Aguara.
7. Corsac Dog Fox.
8. Caama Fennec.
9. Thous of Natolia.
10. Hoary Aguara Dog.
11. Turkish Dog Fox.

Dogs 3 (Foxes)

Dogs 4 Foxes & Hyenas

1. American Cross Fox
2. Coal Fox of Bavaria.
3. Laland’s Zerda.
4. Strand Hyena.
5. Spotted Hyena.
6. Laland’s Agriodu
7. .Syrian Fox
8. Egyptian Fox
9. Thibet Mastiff.
10. Painted Lyeaon.
11. Tricoloured Fox.
12. Poodle & Bulldog
13. Grey Fox.

Foxes & Heyna Dogs

Animal Prints Dogs 5

Another vintage animal print collection of dogs, hyenas and foxes.

1. Dun-footed Aguara Dog.
2. Hyena of Albara.
3. Falkland Island Aguara Dog.
4. Azara’s Aguara Fox.
5. Aguara Dog of the Woods.
6. Brown Hyena.
7. Guaraxa Aguara Fox.
8. Surinam Aguara Dog.
9. Naked Hyzena.
10. White-barred Aguara Fox.
11. Magellanic Aguara Fox

Dogs 5 (More Foxes & Hyenas)

Domestic Dogs 6

1. British Greyhound.
2. Setter
3. Cocker.
4. The Setter.
5. Parent of the modern Coach Dog.
6. Head of Blood Hound.
7. Bedouin Greyhound of Akkaba
8. Scotch Terrier.
9. Head of Terrier
10. Isle of Skye Terrier.
11. The Springer.
12. Head of Stag Hound.
13. Dalmatian or Coach Dog.
14. Oriental Hound.
15. Terriers.
16. Fox Hound.

Dogs 6 (Domestic Dogs)

Marine Mammals, Leaves 13 to 18

Diving into the oceans, the next five leaves of Leaves from the Book of Nature feature whales, seals, dolphins, and other marine mammals. These richly detailed, poster-style plates reflect the Victorian fascination with the sea and are perfect examples of early scientific illustration at its finest.

These vintage animal prints of marine mammals would pair well with the nautical image collection.

Seals 1

1. Hare of the Sea of the Russians,
2. The Walrus
3. Common Seal of the French Coast,
4. Greenland or Harp Seal.
5. Pennant’s Pied Seal.
6. Common Seal of the Scotch Coasts
7. Marbled Seal.
8. Fetid Seal of the Northern Seas
9. Ocean Seal of Lepechin.
10. Great Bearded Seal.

Marine Mammals: Seals 1

Seals 2

1. Grey Seal.
2. Small-nailed Seal.
3. Sea Lion of Pernetty
4. Elephant Seal
5. Crested Seal.
6. Sea Elephant (female).
7. Sea Lion of the South Seas.
8. Monk Seal.
9. Sea Leopard
10. Mitred Seal

Marine Mammals Seals 2

Seals & Serpents 3

Interestingly, this vintage animal chart of marine mammals includes more mythical sea creatures, such as sea serpents and the kraken.

You’ll find an excellent drawing of a kraken in the octopus illustration collection.

1. Fur Seal of Commerce.
2. Dugong of the East Indies.
3. Great Sea Serpent, according to Hans Egede.
4. Sea Bear of Steller
5. Cape Otary.
6. The Kraken.
7. Otaria Molossina.
8. Manatu of the West Indies
9. Otaria Ursina.
10. Sea Serpent, according to Pontoppidon.
11. Sea Bear of the Southern Ocean.

Marine Sea Mammals 3

Whales 1

There is already a fabulous collection of vintage whale prints on the site.

1. Greenland Whale
2. Spermaceti Whale.
3. Greenland Whale.
4. Spermaceti Whale.
5. Spermaceti Whale.
6. Great Northern Rorqual.
7. Lesser Rorqual.
8. Greenland Whale Breaching

Marine Mammals: Whales 1

Whales 2

1. The P. Griseus.
2. The Grampus.
3. Globicephalus of Risso
4. Diodon of Sowerby.
5. The Hyperoodon.
6. Beluga or White Whale.
7. Deductor or Ca’ing Whale.
8. Delphinapterous of Peron.
9. Toothless Whale of Havre.
10. Narwhal or Sea Unicorn.
11. Common Porpoise.

Marine Mammals: Whales 2

Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises

1. Delphinorhynchus of Breda.
2. Pernetty’s Dolphin.
3. Common Dolphin.
4. Soosoo of the Ganges.
5. The Narwhal.
6. The Inia.
7. Striped Porpoise
8. Fuenas of the Chilians.
9. Delphinus superciliosus.
10. Lead-coloured Dolphin
11. Bridled Dolphin.

Marine Mammals 6

Pouched Mammals Leaves 19-22

The pouch-featured animals featured in Leaves from the Book of Nature showcase a fascinating range of marsupials, including kangaroos, wallabies, and opossums. Grouped in classic Victorian chart style, these hand-coloured prints highlight the unique adaptations of species from Australia and beyond. Carefully engraved by W.H. Lizars, the plates capture both the curiosity and scientific interest that marsupials inspired among 19th-century naturalists.

Pouched Mammals 1

1. Phalangista Cookii.
2. Phalangista nana.
3. Ornithorynchus paradoxes.
4. Phalangista viverrina
5. Petaurus taguanoides
6. Petaurus sciureus.
7. Petaurus breviceps.
8. Phascolomys wombat
9. Hchiadna hystrix.

Possums, Platypus & Echidna

Pouched Mammals 2

1. Phascogale penicillata
2. Phascogale flavipes.
3. Myrmecobius fasciatus. .
4. Phascogale murina.
5. Petaurus pygmeus.
6. Perameles lagotis.
7. Perameles nasuta.
8. Perameles obesula.
9. Perameles Gunnii

Marsupials Pouched Mammals 2

Pouched Mammals 3

1. Didelphys Azare.
2. Didelphys nudicaudata.
3. Didelphys Derbiana.
4. Didelphys tristriata,
5. Didelphys ursina.
6. Chironectes yapock.
7. Thylacinus cynocephalus.
8. Dasyurus macrourus.
9. Dasyurus mangei

Opossums, Quolls and Tasmanian Tiger

Kangaroos Pouched Animals 4

1. Hypsiprymnus penicillatus.
2. Hypsiprymnus murinus
3. Macropus Parryi.
4. Macropus Derbianus
5. Phascolarctos fuscus.
6. Macropus malabatus.
7. Macropus Bennettii.
8. Macropus penicillatus
9. Phalangista yulpina.

Kangaroos, Wallabies & Koalas

Patchydemes Leaves 23-24

The pachyderms featured in Leaves from the Book of Nature include elephants, rhinoceroses, hippopotamuses, and tapirs. Grouped for their thick skins and massive forms

Elephants, Rhinoceros & Hippopotamus Leaf 23

The grand mammals—elephants, rhinoceroses, and hippopotamuses—are captured with bold detail in Leaves from the Book of Nature, showcasing the power and majesty of the world’s largest land animals. There is already an excellent collection of vintage elephant drawings on the site.

1. Elephant of India.
2. Indian Rhinoceros.
3. Two-horned African Rhinoceros.
4. Elephant of Africa and young.
5. Elephant of India.
6. Elephant of India caparisoned.
7. Indian Rhinoceros.
8. Two-horned Sumatran Rhinoceros.
9. Flat-nosed Rhinoceros.
10. The Hippopotamus.
11. Sumatran Rhinoceros

Elephants, a rhinoceros and a Hippo

Tapirs & Hogs

1. American Tapir
2. Maylan Tapir
3. Chinese Hog
4. Wild Boar
5. Syrian Hyrax
6. Aelian’s Phascocheeres
7. Babyroussa (male and female).
8. Cape Hyrax.
9. Papuan Hog.
10. Collared Peccary.
11. Common Hog.
12. Ethiopian Wart Hog.

Patchydermes Tapirs

Goats, Sheep, Deer & Ruminating Animals: Leaves 25-30

Spanning six leaves, this section of Leaves from the Book of Nature brings together the great grazers of the animal world. From sturdy goats and woolly sheep to graceful deer and swift antelopes, these plates chart the diversity of ruminating mammals across different landscapes. More than just livestock or game, Victorian naturalists saw these animals as essential to understanding the balance of nature.

Goats, Sheep & Deer Leaf 25

1. European Ibex.
2. Cambing Ootan.
3. Wool-bearing Antelope.
4. Jemlah Goat.
5. The Chamois.
6. Harnessed Antelope.
7. The Agagrus (male).
8. Corsican Musmon.
9. The Agagrus (female & young)

Goats Sheep & Deer 1

Deer, Giraffe, Camel & Llama Leaf 26

Giraffes used to be called Cameleopard. The site features a fantastic collection of giraffe prints.

1. Reindeer
2. Fallow Deer.
3. The Elk or Moose Deer.
4. The Wapiti.
5. The Cameleopard.
6. Rusa of Timor.
7. Great Rusa.
8. Bactrian Camel.
9. Nepal Stag.
10. Thibetian Musk.
11. Napu Musk,
12. Brown Llama

Deer, Giraffe, Camel & Llama

Deer 3

You’ll find some excellent deer prints on Pictureboxblue.

1. Pita Brochet.
2. Spotted Axis.
3. The Munijak.
4. Guazuti Deer.
5. Common Roebuck.
6. Brown Porcine Axis.
7. The Takhaitze.
8. Cuazupuco Deer.
9. Prong-horned Antelope.
10. The Algazel.

Deer 3 Leaf 27

Deer 4 Leaf 28

1. The Pallah.
2. Kelp Springer,
3. The Adax.
4. Semmering’s Antelope.
5. The Kevel.
6. Salt’s Antelope.
7. The Springbok,
8. Red Deer.
9. The Chickara.
10. The Grim

Dear 4

Ruminating Animals 1

1. The Bubalis.
2. The Koodoo,
3. Barbary Breed of Wild Sheep.
4. Barbary Breed of Wild Sheep
5. Rocky Mountain Sheep.
6. Rocky Mountain Sheep.
7. Black-faced Ram,
8. Persian Sheep.
9. The Impoopo.
10. The Impoopo.
11. Bearded Argali.
12. Leicester Ram,
13. The Nylghau.

Goats, Sheep & Cows

Ruminating Animals 2

1. The Gnu.
2. American Bison.
3. Ayrshire Bull.
4. Musk Ox.
5. British Kyloe.
6. African Buffalo.
7. The Gayal.
8. Caffrarian Family, with Oxen, Travelling.
9. White Urus
10. Indian Ox, or Zebu

Ruminating Animals 2

Horses: Leaves 31-33

The horse plates in Leaves from the Book of Nature celebrate one of humanity’s oldest companions, capturing the strength, grace, and variety of breeds admired in the 19th century. From sturdy workhorses to more refined riding breeds, the illustrations reflect the profound cultural and practical significance of horses worldwide.

Horses 1

1. White Horse of Africa.
2. Bonaparte’s Arab.
3. Shrubat-ur-reech.
4. Dongala Race.
5. Crisp-haired Horse.
6. Eclipse.
7. Decussated Horse.
8. Zangum Piebald of Tibet.
9. The Tarpan.
10. Villous Horse.

Leaf 31 Horses 1

Horses 2

1. Asinus Onager.
2. Equus Hippagrus,the Koomrah.
3. Asinus Hemionus
4. Brood Mare and third Foal, with marks of Quagea.
5. Brood Mare and third Foal, with marks of Quagea.
6. Shetland Pony.
7. English Draught Horse,
8. Asinus Hamar.
9. Paramero of Peru.
10. Asinus Equuleus, the Yo-to-ke.
11. The Zebra.

Leaf 32 Horses

Horses 3

1. Hippotigris Quacha.
2. Colt, Sd issue of Brood Mare, and 2d by the Black Arab.
3. The Hinny.
4. Hybrid Ist Foal of Brood Mare and Quagea.
5. Hippotigris Isabellinus.
6. Hybrid Ass and Zebra.
7. Filley bearing marks of Quagga
8. Head of Hungarian Horse, with slit nostrils.
9. Angola Dauw.
10. Dauw Mare and Colt.

Horses: Leaf 33

British Animals: Leafs 34-37

The British animal leaves in Leaves from the Book of Nature highlight mammals and birds native to Britain, such as foxes, badgers, deer, and owls. The plates group familiar species, illustrating the importance local wildlife held for Victorian naturalists. These hand-coloured prints focus on accuracy and detail, making them useful for study as well as decoration.

British Animals 1

The vintage animal prints below contain four types of bat. The site features a more extensive collection of bat illustrations.

1. The Hedgehog.
2. Vespertilio Pipistrellus
3. The Badger
4. The Ermine in Summer.
5. The Polecat.
6. Reddish-grey Bat.
7. Common Shrew.
8. Common Mole.
9. Sorex Remifer.
10. Long-eared Bat.
11. Greater Horse-shoe Bat.

British Animals 1

British Animals 2

1. Pine Martin.
2. Greenland Seal.
3. The Squirrel.
4. Common Otter.
5. The Walrus.
6. Black Rat.
7. The Weasel.
8. The Dormouse.
9. Wild Cat.
10. The Ermine in Winter.
11. Common Seal.
12. The Fox

Leaf 35 British Animals 2

British Animals 3

1. The Rabbit
2. Field Mouse.
3. The Stag.
4. Harvest Mouse.
5. Short-tailed Campagnol.
6. Brown Rat.
7. White Hare.
8. Common Hare.
9. Roe Deer.
10. Black Water Rat.
11. Domestic Mouse

Leaf 36: British Animals 3

Miscellaneous Mammals: Leaves 37-39

Miscellaneous Mammals 1

1. Greyhound Dhole.
2. Genetta Tigrina.
3. Common Vampire Bat.
4. Black-maned Lion.
5. Gwatkin’s Galidictis,
6. White Maimon.
7. Steedman’s Cynictis.
8. White Box-tailed Bat.
9. Herpestes Mungo.
10. Paradoxurus Dubius.

Leaf 37: Miscellaneous Mammals

Miscellaneous Mammals 2

1. The Grison (Allamands).
2. Nasua (Solitaria) Monachus.
3. Maneless Lion.
4. Yellow Bear of Norway.
5. The Ounce.
6. Sea Otter.
7. Ailurus Fulgens.
8. Mephitis Chilensis.
9. Crab-eating Racoon.
10. Telagon or Stinkard.
11. Hira Ferruginea

Leaf 38: Miscellaneous Mammals 2

Miscellaneous Animals 3

1. Echidna Setosa
2. Lepus Tapeti.
3. Long Spinous Rat.
4. Duyancel’s Squirrel.
5. Halmaturus Rutilans.
6. Hydrocheerus Cabiai
7. Chlamyphorus Truncatus
8. Great Anteater.
9. Chinchilla Diana.
10. Aigocerus Niger,

Leaf 39: Miscellaneous Animals 3

Wrapping Up the Wonderful World of Mammals

I hope you’ve enjoyed this journey through the amazing mammal plates from Leaves from the Book of Nature! It’s such a fascinating glimpse into how Victorian naturalists like William Jardine celebrated the animal kingdom — and I love how these grouped vintage prints bring the wild world to life.

But we’re only just getting started! In later posts, I’ll be sharing the other sections of Leaves from the Book of Nature, too — including the beautiful illustrations from the ornithology (birds), entomology (insects), and ichthyology (fish) collections. There’s so much more vintage goodness to come, so stay tuned!

If you’re a fan of vintage animal prints, don’t forget to also check out some of the other gorgeous collections already on the site. You’ll love the fantastic Oliver Goldsmith nature posters. And make sure you don’t miss the excellent illustrations from Charles Dessalines D’Orbigny’s 1849 Dictionnaire Universel D’histoire Naturelle.

There’s a whole world of free, beautiful Zoological art just waiting for you to explore and download!

Don’t forget that you can also download digitally enhanced, large zoological posters from my Ko-fi shop.

If you fancy, you can Buy Me A Coffee Here.