Raccolta di varie favole, Vol. 3

Abstract

This set of three volumes (out of 6) was a real find. Generally, Fossati volumes sell for much more. A quick look finds several volumes on sale through AbeBooks for $1750 apiece. I was lucky to happen upon a half-price sale. This volume, 7¾" x 10¼", presents 36 bilingual (Italian and French) fables on 77 pages. Illustration pages are not printed on the verso. There is a bilingual T of C at the front of the book. As in Volume 1, many illustrations include a small portion carefully colored in light red. The engravings are, as in the first volume, lovely. They are similar to the work of Oudry in their framing and their classical backgrounds. Among the best of the illustrations are "Stag and Horse" (17); "Wolf and Sculpted Head" (28); and WL (72). The man frustrated with a god but finding cash inside his statue is operating here in a temple with a long pole (36)! My sense is that a greater portion of the fables than in the first two volumes comes from outside the circle of La Fontaine's stories.