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2 500 €

Réf : 86934

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Jean de LA FONTAINE

Oeuvres. Fables. Contes et nouvelles en vers. Oeuvres diverses. Théâtre.

Lefèvre & Les libraires associés, A Paris 1790 - 1822, In-8 (13x21,5cm), 7 volumes reliés.

Two editions bound together, belonging to the complete works of La Fontaine published by Lefèvre in 1822 by Wallckenaer: 'Fables, oeuvres diverses et théâtre' with an edition of his tales published in 1790. The volumes in the Lefèvre edition were sold separately, as evidenced by the lack of 'oeuvres complètes' half title in the fables, which is in turn found in the 'oeuvres diverses' and in the 'Théâtre'. Lefèvre's edition would be complete if it included the tales, but the collector of this copy preferred another, more famous and better illustrated edition to replace it: a pirate edition of the 'Fermiers Généraux' edition illustrated by Eisen. The illustration in this pirate edition are very pretty and finely engraved.
The Fables are illustrated by Moreau Le Jeune with 12 plates newly engraved by Schneider; this edition had originally been published in 1814, and reprinted for the complete works.
'Les Contes et Nouvelles' is a pirate edition of the famous Fermiers généraux edition, illustrated with a portrait of the author engraved by Mossa after Hyacinthe Rigaud and 80 unsigned full-page plates, copied from the 1777 edition. The text has the same composition as this one, according to Rochambeau, while the head and tail pieces have not been reproduced. In comparison, Lefèvre's edition of 'Les Contes' contained only 9 illustrations by Moreau Le Jeune.
Full contemporary brown calf binding, spine elaborately decorated with motifs in blind, and ornately ruled in gilt. Boards elaborately decorated with a central blind-stamped motif, rosettes to corners, framed in gilt and black, inner dentelle, all edges gilt. 'Les Contes' volumes are in smaller 8vo format (12.3x20.2cm). The three volumes comprising the miscellaneous works and theater are in slightly lighter calf. Handsomely bound, with rare pale scattered foxing, notably in the area of the tissue guards. Small traces of damp stains on the upper cover of volume 2 of the 'Contes'.
Sumptuous, unsigned Restoration binding in excellent condition, probably by a great workshop, Thouvenin or Simier.
A good critical edition of the works, the most complete to date, with notes and commentary, printed in well-spaced type.

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