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LA FONTAINE, Jean de. Fables choisies, mises en vers. Edited by C.P. de Monthenault d'Egly. Paris: Charles-Antoine Jombert, for Desaint & Saillant, and Durand, 1755-59.
4 volumes, 2° (430 x 287mm). Half-titles. Engraved portrait of Oudry by Tardieu after N. de l'Argilliere, frontispiece after Jean-Baptiste Oudry, finished by Dupuis and engraved by Cochin, 275 plates after Oudry, engraved by Cochin, Elisabeth Cousinet, Baquoy, Legrand, and others wood-engraved vignette on each title, wood-engraved head- and tailpieces after Bachelier. (Occasional light browning or soiling, vol. II with outer margin to plate facing p.370 repaired and some old dampstaining.) Contemporary French figured calf, gilt, gilt edges (joints repaired, vol. II resewn). Provenance: Le Chevalier de Vendittron? (mounted inscription in vol. I).
This luxurious edition of the Fables grew out of sketches made by Oudry for his own enjoyment. Cochin was chosen to turn them into finished prints, first redrawing them, and the result was "one of the most ambitious and successful of all illustrated books" (Ray). The first of the plates illustrating Le Singe et le Léopard (vol. III, facing p.110) is here in its second state with lettering on the banner. Cohen-de Ricci 548-550; Ray French, 5; Rochambeau 86; Sander 1065. (4)
4 volumes, 2° (430 x 287mm). Half-titles. Engraved portrait of Oudry by Tardieu after N. de l'Argilliere, frontispiece after Jean-Baptiste Oudry, finished by Dupuis and engraved by Cochin, 275 plates after Oudry, engraved by Cochin, Elisabeth Cousinet, Baquoy, Legrand, and others wood-engraved vignette on each title, wood-engraved head- and tailpieces after Bachelier. (Occasional light browning or soiling, vol. II with outer margin to plate facing p.370 repaired and some old dampstaining.) Contemporary French figured calf, gilt, gilt edges (joints repaired, vol. II resewn). Provenance: Le Chevalier de Vendittron? (mounted inscription in vol. I).
This luxurious edition of the Fables grew out of sketches made by Oudry for his own enjoyment. Cochin was chosen to turn them into finished prints, first redrawing them, and the result was "one of the most ambitious and successful of all illustrated books" (Ray). The first of the plates illustrating Le Singe et le Léopard (vol. III, facing p.110) is here in its second state with lettering on the banner. Cohen-de Ricci 548-550; Ray French, 5; Rochambeau 86; Sander 1065. (4)