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Jean de La Fontaine (French, 1621–1695)
Illustrated by: Charles Eisen (French, 1720–1778)
Illustrated by: Pierre-Philippe Choffard (French, 1730–1809)
Engraved by: Jacques Aliamet (French, 1726–1788)
Engraved by: Jean Charles Baquoy (French, 1721–1777)
Engraved by: Jean Baptiste Delafosse (French, 1721–1806)
Engraved by: Jean Jacques Flipart (French, 1719–1782)
Engraved by: Louis Simon Lempereur (French, 1725–1796)
Engraved by: Joseph de Longueil (French, 1730–1792)
Engraved by: Noël Le Mire (French, 1724–1801)
Engraved by: Jean-Jacques André Le Veau (French, 1729–1786)
Engraved by: Jean Ouvrier (French, 1725–1784)
Portrait(s) designed by: Hyacinthe François Rigau y Ros, called Hyacinthe Rigaud (French, 1659–1743)
Engraved by: Etienne Ficquet (French, 1719–1794)
Engraved by: Jean de La Fontaine (French, 1621–1695)
Printer and Publisher: Plassan [firm] (French, late 18th century)
1792
Place of Publication: Paris, France

Medium/Technique Illustrated book with numerous etching and engravings
Dimensions Overall: 20.7 x 13.3 x 4.9 cm (8 1/8 x 5 1/4 x 1 15/16 in.)
Credit Line William A. Sargent Collection—Bequest of William A. Sargent
Accession Number37.1459
NOT ON VIEW
ClassificationsIllustrated books
Paris: Plassan, and Chevalier, 1792

Catalogue Raisonné Cohen-de Ricci 573
Description(Paris: Plassan, and Chevalier, 1792) Octavo, two vols. in one; [v. 1] 143 leaves, plus plates; [v. 2] 160 ll., plus pls.; modern gilt-stamped half green morocco, marbled paper boards.

Literary illustrations; author portrait; decorative tailpieces.

A "reissue" of the famous Fermier-généraux edition of 1762 (MFA copy: 37.1455a-b). Plassan was both printer and publisher; Chevalier shared in the publishing imprint. The full-page plates in this edition were actually left over from the earlier printing, and therefore are often in fine impressions; the decorative elements by Choffard are reprinted anew, and are not so fine impressions. This copy, however, differs from the other MFA copy of this edition (37.1458a-b), because the plates in the second volume are reversed copies of the original edition--they, in fact, are those used in a 1764 edition (MFA copy: 37.1456a-b). The donor has inscribed in this copy "very curious mixup."
ProvenanceAcquired in 1906 by William A. Sargent, Boston (1858-1936), by whom bequeathed to MFA, November 17, 1937.