Chansons et rondes enfantines. Contes et fables en chansons

First edition, very rare. Not listed in Carteret (illustrated Romantic books). 8 hand-colored engravings, including a frontispiece, all published by Gabriel de Gonet, and several lithographs placed as headpieces. Printed on heavy laid paper.
A manuscript on a loose leaf occupying 2 pages, written in brown ink and dated 1845: Le renard et la cigogne, signed L. Fortoul, text which appears in the collection on p.33. Other texts by the same author are found in the work. Louis Fortoul was an author of tales and works for young people.
Full burgundy morocco binding signed at bottom of front pastedown Quinet. Spine with raised bands, compartments richly decorated and inlaid with brown morocco quatrefoils. Boards decorated in the Du Seuil style, with fleurons in the corners. Wide inner dentelle. All edges gilt. Slight traces of rubbing, notably on the lower board.
Superb copy.
This collection lists all the well-known nursery rhymes and songs still sung to children today: Nous n'irons plus aux bois, Il court... le furet, Il était une bergère, Gentil coquelicot, La mère Michel, Cadet-Rouselle, etc... One finds numerous tales that became popular set to music like Le petit chaperon rouge, Le petit poucet, and some adapted from La Fontaine's fables.