Fables de La Fontaine

Abstract

This edition answers my earlier question What does 'nouvelle edition' mean, since the book was apparently originally published in 1838? Here is the answer: there was an 1838 edition that was not nouvelle (second). I am presuming that it is a first printing. See my comments there. Let me note some differences between the two editions. The title-page here has Édition Illustrée, whereas the other has Fables...Illustrées. This printing has an additional address for the publisher. The typesetting of the pre-text portions is different, e.g. on xii or in the initial letter on xiii. The printer's designs around the titles and after the fables tend to be somewhat airy or spindly. This printing has a tear in the page facing 109 and repairs to 189-92. The pages from 287-290 are loose. Its best illustrations are 4.1 and 5.18. The spine is beginning to weaken. I found this edition by asking as usual for fable books. Monsieur Lovy said that he had at home an edition pre-dating the nouvelle edition of 1838 and challenged me to agree to buy the edition the next day for 1800 francs. He insisted that he would not bring it (this was to be a personal deal, not some of the store's business) if I would not take it. I said yes barring a real disaster but said that it would then have to be cheaper. I am not disappointed with the results of our dealing!