Paris

Published before the first edition.
Softcover, as issued.

First edition printed on Hollande.
Couvertures illustrées, frontispices by F. Besnier.small manques to head du premier volume, Some Light foxing on certains volumes, otherwise a rare and a good complete set.

New edition, corrected and augmented.
Half glazed caramel calf bindings, later (1850). Spine with raised bands, decorated. Red morocco title-label and brown morocco volume labels. Handsome set. Excellent condition.
Series of humorous and satirical tales of daily life. The first edition of Contes à rire appeared in 1681 (2 parts in one volume), a third volume appeared in 1762, a fourth volume was added for this edition.

Original etching before letters heightened with aquatint.
Created on laid paper at the request of publisher A. QUANTIN to illustrate La Fontaine's fable: "The Lark and her Young Ones, with the Master of a Field".
Very fine condition, presented in a modern black mat and protected by tissue guard.
Auguste Delierre (1829-1891) is referenced thus in Bénézit, dictionary of painters, sculptors, draughtsmen and engravers: "history painter, genre scenes, animated landscapes, still lifes, illustrator. Student of Eugène Ciceri, he participated in the Paris Salon between 1852 and 1889. His compositions of landscapes animated with hunting dogs show the influence of works by Desportes and

First edition, one of 1050 copies numbered on alfa.
With a frontispiece portrait of the author by Francis Picabia, illustrated cover by Franz Masereel.
Spine very slightly faded, otherwise a good copy, almost without foxing.