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La Fontaine, Jean de.  Fables de La Fontaine, précédées de la vie de l'auteur, suivies de Philémon et Baucis, et des Filles de Minée. Paris: Avallon, 1835. 12mo (13.9 cm, 5.47"). [2], xxxvi, [lv]-[lviii], 143, [1], 219, [1], [255]–260 pp.; 4 plts.
$125.00

"Nouvelle edition, dans laquelle on aperçoit d'un coup d'oeil la moralité de la fable": all 12 books of La Fontaine's 17th-century poem-fables in their original French, plus two longer pieces. These small gems are derived in subject matter from Aesop's works, yet original in style and elegance of expression. Many of the morals are illustrated on the => four plates, each plate offering six engraved vignettes signed by Couché fils (François Louis Couché, 1782–1849).
        This edition is uncommon: a search of WorldCat finds only one U.S. institutional location of the 1834 printing, and none of the present.

This ed. not in Gumuchian. 19th-century half pebbled cloth with boards covered in older mottled brown paper, spine with author's name gilt-stamped in small simple type; binding worn and rubbed, front joint starting with hinges (inside) and sewing holding, first leaves of preface tipped in at time of rebinding. Interior with some pages trimmed more closely than others and light to moderate foxing (only) throughout; early leaves with a small narrow patch of stain at fore-edge; plates evenly age-toned. Unprepossessing at first glance on shelf — opened and in hand => a nice little printing.  (41498)   Please RESHELVE This.

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