Douze Fables de la Fontaine (cover: Fables de la Fontaine)

Abstract

I am tempted to date this book ten years earlier because of the French-German connection of a French publisher printing books in Germany. The cover presents an engaging image of smiling animals grouped around King Lion. Every other page is a strong colored illustration with a line or two of moral. This is one of very few prose editions of La Fontaine's fables that I have seen. Among the best illustrations are those showing the plaid sox of the fox in FC (7). WL (9) sets the contrast well between the big hunter with pistol and knife in his belt and the skirted lamb with a bouquet in her hands. The tuxedo in fine jacket and vest in FG (21) only stands and looks up. The book was originally sold by Joseph Gibert on the Boulevard St. Michel. A high price for a pamphlet book, but the illustrations make it worth it. They are lovely and well preserved.