Fables de La Fontaine illustrées par Gustave Doré

Abstract

This is an unusual publication. What looks like a book is really an enclosing case. What it encloses is an introductory booklet and 40 cards about 5½" by almost 8" each presenting one, two, or three La Fontaine fables through both text and illustration. The fables on each card are regularly somehow related to each other, especially by using the same animal. To me the Doré illustrations are not so special. What is more specific here are the illustrations used as background for the covers of the individual cards. There are some engaging mysteries there….