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ALDE
155
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LA FONTAINE (Jean de). Fables choisies. Paris, Desaint & Sai…
See original version (French)
155
-
LA FONTAINE (Jean de). Fables choisies. Paris, Desaint & Sai…
See original version (French)
Estimate €4,000 - €5,000
Voluntary lot
Description
LA FONTAINE (Jean de). Fables choisies. Paris, Desaint & Saillant, Durand, 1755-1759. 4 volumes in-folio, red morocco, triple fillet with fleuron at the corners, ornate spine, inner lace, gilt edges (Period binding). A magnificent and very famous illustration by the animal painter Jean-Baptiste Oudry.
It consists of a frontispiece and 275 out-of-text figures based on his drawings, retouched by Cochin and etched by the best artists of the time. The text is embellished with floral and allegorical vignettes and quatrefoils, wood-engraved by Le Sueur and Papillon after compositions by the flower painter Jean-Jacques Bachelier.
The typography was entrusted to Charles-Antoine Jombert.
"One of the most ambitious and successful of all illustrated books" (Ray).
A contemporary red morocco copy with a rare portrait of Oudry engraved by Tardieu after Nicolas de Largillière. The engraving of the Monkey and the Leopard is in the second state, after the inscription on the banner.
From the library of the Viscount des Fossez, with bookplate.
Rubbing and stains not serious to the bindings, title and giblets redone, endpapers previously renewed.
Cohen, 548 - Ray, n°5 - Rochambeau, Fables, n°86 - A. Coron, Des livres rares, BnF, n°207.
See original version (French)
Auto-translation. Refer to original language for legal validity.
About the sale
Antiquarian books from the 15th to the 19th century - Astronomy
Auction location
Auction time
06/24/2026 at 2:00 PM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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