Fables choisies, mises en vers par J. La Fontain, nouvelle edition gravée en taille-douce, les figures par le sr. Fessard, le texte par le sr. Monular, dediées aux enfans de France

Very fine illustrated edition of the Fables de la Fontaine.

FIRST ISSUE, 6 vol., first issue with “chez l’auteur” in the imprint, engraved throughout by Fessard with frontispiece, 6 pictorial titles, 243 plates and text with 243 head-pieces and 226 tail-pieces by Bardin, Bidault, Caresme, Desrais, Houel, Kobell, Leclere, Leprince, Loutherbourg, Meyer and Monnet, text engraved by Montulay and Drouet, vol. 5 & 6 with ink inscription “Harriet Warwick 1792” to front free endpaper, book-label of Viscount Monsell, a lovely clean set in handsome early nineteenth century red grained morocco, covers with gilt roll-tool border, spines gilt in compartments with floral ornaments and five raised bands, cream and tan labels, g.e., a little rubbed and marked, some spotting (particularly vol.3), vol.IV-VI slightly darker and coarser leather with corners a little worn and rebacked to style, vol.VI preserving old spine and with small gouge to upper cover, preserved in modern cloth folders and 2 slip-cases, 8vo, Paris, 1765-75.

The finest illustrated edition of La Fontaine’s Fables printed in the 18th century, along with the illustrated edition by Oudry published 10 years earlier in folio format.

[Cohen-de Ricci 551; Ray 61]