Fables de La Fontaine

Abstract

I will include this second copy of this little book for two reasons. The first has little validity: I learned of our earlier copy only after I had sedulously studied and catalogued this second copy and was ready to list it in our online chronological catalogue. Sure enough, “1835” popped up with a description very similar to the one I had just created. The second reason has, I hope, more validity. Due to the diligence of PRBM and Bodemann, this second record has more complete information than we had earlier. I am amazed that the illustrations are bound at exactly the same places in both copies! Here begins, then, what I have written this time. It is always a pleasure to add to this collection one of Bodemann's numbers. Bodemann lists an 1834 edition but seems to date it to 1832. In any case, there is one copy of the 1834 known in this country and no copies of this 1835 edition. Its key feature lies in the four pages of illustrations signed by Couché fils, each containing six engraved vignettes (frontispiece, 40, 90, 114). Apparently a thinner, different sort of paper was used for these illustrations, not printed on the verso, since they now are now browning more than the other pages. The choices for these 24 vignettes could be taken as a standard for what fables of La Fontaine are best known and loved. People's favorites are all here, even if they are very small! Curiously,, none of the illustrations is placed in Volume II, which begins pagination anew. 3½" x 5½.