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Gros & Delettrez
142
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LA FONTAINE, Jean de. La Fontaine's Fables, now first transl…
See original version (French)
142
-
LA FONTAINE, Jean de. La Fontaine's Fables, now first transl…
See original version (French)
Estimate €280 - €300
Voluntary lot
Description
LA FONTAINE, Jean de.
La Fontaine's Fables, now first translated from the French by Robert Thomson. Paris, Théophile Barrois, 1806.
4 volumes in a small in-8 format. Pebbled and tinted havana calf, smooth spine decorated with gilt caissons with riddled background and fleurons alternated with triple gilt fillets, gilt title, gilt roulette (oak motif) framing the boards and the flap, gilt edges (boards and edges a little rubbed, corners dull, anecdotal stains).
One of the originals of the first English translation, here in its charming period English binding.
There are 3 known issues at different addresses for the same year, of this first translation of the Fables and, while it is difficult to say here which was the princeps, ours by Barrois is definitely the least common.
No copy in the CCFr.
A fine copy illustrated with 16 etchings in black, engraved by Joseph Perdoux with autographed verses, including the frontispieces of volumes 1, 3 and 4.
Robert Thomson is considered to be the first true English translator of the Fables, which before him had only been partially or poorly translated. While admitting the difficulty of translation: "I have heard gentlemen insist that only a La Fontaine could translate La Fontaine..." but "I see nothing but a totally misunderstood, mutilated or murdered La Fontaine" (preface to the Chenu edition).
Vol. I. [3] f. (frontis., fx-title and title), 105-[3] p., 3 pl. - Vol. II. [2] f. (fx-title and title), 139 p., 4 pl. - Vol. III. [3] f. (frontis., fx-title and title), 147 p., 3 pl. - Vol. IV. [3] f. (frontis., fx-title and title), 128 p., 3 pl.
See original version (French)
Auto-translation. Refer to original language for legal validity.
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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