9. LA FONTAINE, Jean de (1621-1695).
Fables Choisies, Mises en Vers … Dediées aux Enfans de France. Paris: chez l'Auteur [i.e., Fessard], 1765-1775. 6 volumes, 8vo (7 3/4 x 5 1/8 inches; 198 x 126mm). Engraved throughout, frontispiece, 6 titles, 237 (of 238) plates, 473 vignettes, all engraved on copper by Étienne Fessard, text by Montulay and Drouet, extra-illustrated with the 3pp. prospectus bound in vol.I and a loosely inserted subscriber's receipt. Contemporary polished calf, spines richly gilt with morocco title and volume labels. Condition : lacking the plate illustrating fable XLIII; spines occasionally chipped at head and foot, joints of vol.I slightly split. Provenance : subscriber (listed on the inserted subscription form).
first edition of the most elaborate and elegant edition of la fontaine ever created specifically for children, one of a small number printed on thick holland paper. This copy is a mixed issue, with the first issue title pages to vols. I-III, V-VI (with the "chez l'Auteur" reading), the fourth volume is the second issue with the imprint "chez Durand … Prault … Deslauriers". Also included here is the rare original three-page engraved prospectus bound in the first volume; with a loosely inserted receipted subscription form, signed by Fessard. In addition to the classic rhymes and the beautiful illustrations, this particular edition also includes an "Eloge historique de M. de La Fontaine" (pp.51-68) by the abbé d'Olivet. The fact that a plate is missing is clearly a binder's error. Cohen-De Ricci 551-552 (apparently unaware of an issue on Holland paper); Quinnam 148; cf. Ray French 61 (2nd issue): Rochanbeau 101; Quinnam 14.
est. $3000 – $4000
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