- Lot 509

Jean de LA FONTAINE - Selected Fables, set in verse [...]. New edition engraved in intaglio. The figures by Sr. Fessard. the text by Sr. Montulay. Dedicated to the children of France. Paris, chez l'auteur, [- Durand,- Prault,- Deslauriers(for Tome IV only)] 1765-1775. 6 volumes in-8, 185 x 125 mm, contemporary glazed blond calf, triple fillet and gilt fleurons on the boards, spine gilt with five nerves, red morocco title-pieces, putty tomato-pieces, gilt edges (4 cappings torn off, jaws of T. I cracked at head and tail, inner hinge of the upper board of T. I very weakened, boards of T. VI yawning). lxxi, [1 bl.], 100; vi, 102; iv, 95; [6], 134; [4], 103; [4], 115 pp. Copy of the first printing (the titles bear Chez l'auteur except for Tome IV which bears the address of Durand, Prault, Deslauriers) of this edition entirely engraved on laid paper and illustrated with 723 compositions: 6 engraved titles, 1 frontispiece, 1 fleuron (T. I), 243 figures, 243 vignettes and 226 culs-de-lampe engraved by Fessard after Bardin, Bidault, Caresme, Desrais, Hoüel, Kobels, Leclère, Loutherbourg... The text is engraved by Monlulay and Droüel. Cohen, 551. Tchemerzine, VI, 392. Provenance : ex-libris Michel de Léon. Trace of color on the title of Vol. 2.