Contes et nouvelles en vers

This edition is a modified impression of the first illustrated edition of 1685. The illustration consists of 2 frontispieces and 58 half-page vignettes drawn by Romeyn de Hooghe (except the second frontispiece which is not found in the 1685 edition and the figures of the 4 last tales). "The frontispiece of the first volume is that of 1685 reversed, without signature. The date and the bookseller's name have been removed. The frontispiece of the 2nd vol. is a new composition without signature. The vignettes are those of 1685, reversed and engraved with a certain fineness". Hédé-Haüy, p. 13. This is therefore not a reissue, the figures having been newly engraved and reversed. This particularity forms the entire interest of this new edition, different from the first. Moreover the 4 last tales have large anonymous engravings and a frontispiece has been added." - Brunet III, 759 "This edition contains in addition to that of 1685, four tales printed in Paris in Maucroix's collection." This edition was made in Paris, Desbordes' address merely reproduces the publisher of the first illustrated edition of 1685.
Contemporary full bronze olive green morocco binding. Decorated spine with raised bands. Red morocco title label. Triple gilt fillet frame on boards. Gilt edges. Interior gilt fillet. Paper uniformly yellowed.
Very fine copy, very rare in contemporary green morocco.
Although Cohen stipulates that many collectors join this edition to the fine illustrated books of the 18th century, one should note however that the vivid art of Romain de Hooghe, which magnifies the vignette, is entirely representative of his century and in no way joins the aesthetic canons of the following century; this is precisely what gives it all its value.