Les contes drolatiques colligez es abbayes de Touraine et mis en lumière par le sieur de Balzac pour l'esbattement des pantagruelistes et non aultres

Sixth edition and second printing of the 425 compositions by Gustave Doré. "masterpiece where each vignette is a discovery" (Béradi)
Full red long-grained morocco binding signed Thivet (at the top of the first endpaper). Richly decorated spine with raised bands. Gilt title. Triple gilt ruling on boards. Rich inner gilt border. All edges gilt. Spine slightly faded.
Scattered foxing.
Superb copy, very rare in full binding, moreover in full morocco.
"The idea of illustrating these texts had been suggested by the Bibliophile Jacob, Paul Lacroix, who had been commissioned by Balzac's widow for the philological revision of the text. The illustrations fall within a caricatural and 'droll' vein; they reveal Gustave Doré's immense talent, his attraction to landscape and his ease in portraying grotesque characters as well as in capturing burlesque scenes. 'This illustration is like no other in its powerful originality: it is Gaulish, Rabelaisian, and sparkling with wit. Doré certainly lavished the best of his talent on the Contes drolatiques. They had no success however and the entire edition was marked down. Today, it is one of Doré's most sought-after works" (Leblanc).