ANACRÉON

First edition of De la Fosse's translation. Greek text with facing translation. A medallion portrait of Anacreon at the frontispiece. Catalogue at the end.
Contemporary full polished brown calf binding. Decorated spine with raised bands. Red morocco title label. Head torn with losses to joints. Upper joint split at tail. 4 corners bumped.
Preface on the work and various translations of the odes. Each ode is followed by translator's notes. Following the 55 odes, Poems by M.D.L.F., then Discourse delivered in Florence, to determine which are the most beautiful eyes, blue or black.

First edition of this translation by Moutonnet de Clairfonds, and first issue of the illustration, which comprises a frontispiece, 12 headpieces and 13 tailpieces by Eisen, engraved by Massard and Duclos. Title page in red and black.
Full red morocco binding, late 19th century, signed Pickering. Jansenist spine with raised bands. Wide inner decorative border. Edges gilt. Small brown stains on upper cover. Despite the minor defects noted, a very fine copy.
Cohen rightly cites this work as "one of the most elegantly illustrated books of the 18th century"; Eisen's contribution is indeed delicate and inspired, and the headpiece engravings are superbly executed.