Fables By the late Mr Gay, Volume the Second

Abstract

At last I have made my way back to a first edition of this second volume of Gay's fables. I will repeat some of what I wrote for the second edition, which I found some six years ago. I find the Gravelot illustrations strong. They take up the full page and remind one of Oudry's work. It may be that Hobbs' use of it (71) has prejudiced me in its favor, but I find The Man, the Cat, the Dog, and the Fly (69) among the best. See her good comments there. This is Bodemann #110.5. I agree with Bodemann's description of the illustrations as geschickt komponierte und in den Tonwerten fein nuancierte Rokokostiche. The frontispiece of Gay's grave-monument, missing in my second edition of this second volume, is present here. Bodemann reproduces it with her comment on this volume. Gravelot signs each of the illustrations, but I cannot find him otherwise acknowledged in this book. The back cover is becoming separated. A great find, especially at this price!