Books

Paris: Desaint et Saillant, 1755. First Edition. Hardcover. Near Fine. Oudry, Jean-Baptiste; 42 Engravers, Including Cochin, Tardieu, Prevost, Chedel, Lempereur, Etc.. Elephant Folio - over 15. 1755 - 1759. 4 volumes, 420 by 285 mm or 16.5 by 11 inches. With 276 (1 extra) illustrated plates designed by Oudry (1685 - 1755), as well as half-titles, engraved title pages, head and tailpieces. Extra plate is the second version of the plate found by page 112 of Vol 3, for the Fable CLXXII, "Le Singe et le Leopard".) Bound in is the first state of the plate, which did not have the word "Leopard" on the banner. Included, but not presently bound, is the second state, with "Leopard" on the banner. Contemporary calf rebacked preserving spines, covers panelled in gilt. Spines tooled and lettered in gilt in compartments containing urn motif, with red morocco lettering labels. Marbled endpapers. Some very intermittent spotting. Faint dampstain to front blanks of Vols 1 and 2. Hinges…

Fables choisies, mises en vers is a celebrated collection of fables written by the French poet Jean de La Fontaine. First published in 1668, this classic work comprises a series of short tales, each with its own moral lesson, inspired by Aesop and other classical sources.