Fables choisies, mises en vers par M. de la Fontaine
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Authors
Chauveau, François (etcher)
de La Fontaine, Jean
Issue Date
1668
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Book, Whole
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Abstract
I never thought that I would be able to place a copy of La Fontaine first edition of 1668 into the collection. Whoopee! The edition includes the first six books of La Fontaine's fables. There is an AI at the front, along with the dedicatory letter to Monsieur le Dauphin and a life of Aesop. Each fable (except the second of double-fables and the last two) receives a small (2.5 x 2 ) illustration. In the past, I have criticized Chauveau's illustrations. Here I find more to praise. First, do not miss the very nice hand-colored Les deux Taureaux & une Grenouille (II 4). (I also notice some coloring in OF, I 3). Some of the illustrations show more force and drama than others, like Lex deux Mulets (I 4). I have already praised I 14 (the palace crumbles), III 1 (MSA), and V 12 (Les Medecins). I still think that the illustration for II 13 may miss the point; the star-specialist here is looking at something in his hand. III 14 shows difficulty in depicting a lion's head. A previous owner has made a list of missing items on the blank pre-title-page. One page of the T of C is missing (roughly from H to O). First first leaf of La vie d'Ésope is not here. Pages 215-218 are not here (V 10 and V 11). Pages 58, 252, 258, and 260 have been restored. Pages 265 and 267 are missing small but important portions--important in that they belong to illustrations. Finally, 280-281 is missing. This book is a treasure!
Description
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Chez Denys Thierry ruë Saint Jacques, à l'enseigne de la Ville de Paris,
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Identifier
5678 (Access ID)