4 vols., 8vo (208 × 130 mm), pp. [iv], 32, 105, [3]; [iv], 22, 133 [97-104 present in duplicate], [5]; [iv], 143, [5]; [iv], 128, includes half-titles, 4 engraved frontispieces by Perdoux, each captioned in English, numerous ornamental tailpieces. Uncut in the original orange paper wrappers, printed paper spine labels, the volume numbers given in manuscript. Slightly dusty, but an excellently-preserved, unsophisticated copy.
A very rare English edition and an interesting example of opportunistic publishing. This English La Fontaine was first printed by Brochot in 1805 and by Chenu in 1806, apparently both with and without illustrations (probably 16 plates). This edition uses the sheets of one of those editions (with their copious decorative tailpieces) and adds new titles on different paper and obviously different typography. The advertised “Elegant Engraved Figures” consist of 4 plates from the earlier edition, each marked “vol. 2” at the head and bound as a frontispiece to each volume. This copy is as issued, with the original printed labels.
This edition not found in COPAC or CCFr.
£800.00
