Gay's Fables
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Authors
Gay, John
Owen, Octavius Freire
Issue Date
1866?
Type
Book, Whole
Language
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Abstract
This is a larger--and presumably more original version--of a book by the same publisher, though through a different printer. I will guess at the same date that that other book announces on its title-page. In fact, this book uses the same plates but gives much bigger margins around them. Also, the runs on the illustrations are stronger. The nice embossed Monkey Who Had Seen the World on the cover is not here. Lamentably, this book is in as poor condition as that other book. Scotch tape is holding the spine together. Let me repeat some of my comments made on that other version. Gay's fables are heavily satirical; Juvenal is quoted heavily in the notes. For other comments on the fables themselves, see my 1727/38/1967 edition. The most interesting parts of this volume are the notes and endpieces. The notes show decided wit (e.g., 185-6). By contrast with the larger illustrations, which perhaps resemble Tenniel most but are inferior in quality, the endpieces are engaging (though unfortunately small) presentations of Aesop's fables--perhaps borrowed from Harvey's own work illustrating Northcote? Some representative illustrations and fables here include: The Monkey Who'd Seen the World (I 14), The Old Woman and the Cats (I 23), and The Baboon and the Poultry (II 3).
Description
Citation
Publisher
Frederick Warne and Co.
Scribner Welford, and Co.,
Scribner Welford, and Co.,