Drei Dutzend Fabeln von Äsop

Abstract

One of the most precious treasures brought back from a book-buying trip to Europe in 2023. I have long enjoyed the 1968 trade version of this book published by Flamberg, and I have long hoped we could get an original copy. I first came to love it when I saw it used for the last illustration in Hobbs. This copy is not only Hoffmann's original work. It is one of 25 that includes a five-colored woodcut of stork and owl. As Peter Bichsel points out, Bodemann #512.1 and Fabula Docet #135 both list only the trade edition. The book uses Steinhöwel as the basis for its texts for its thirty-six prose fables. One result is that the point of the fable is announced as a promythium in each case. Then there are the strong woodcuts from Hoffmann. Generally, the Steinhöwel texts are on the left-hand page, and the Hoffmann woodcuts on the right. (The exception is 55, a right-hand page with text.) Among the best of woodcuts are those for "Two Lobsters" (17); "The Stag at the Spring" (31; front cover); "The Cat-Woman" (41); "The Wanderer and the Satyr" (63); FG (73); OR (77); and DLS (81). The book has only 81 pages.