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Fables choisies, mises en vers.... Nouvelle édition gravée en taille-douce

Author: Jean de La Fontaine (French, 1621–1695)
Illustrated by: Charles Monnet (French, 1732–after 1808)
Illustrated by: Philippe Jacques de Loutherbourg II (French (Alsace, active in Britain), 1740–1812)
Illustrated by: Jean Baptiste Le Prince (French, 1734–1781)
Illustrated by: Jean Pierre Louis Laurent Hoüel (French, 1735–1813)
Illustrated by: Philippe Caresme (French, 1734–1796)
Illustrated by: Pierre-Thomas LeClerc (French, about 1740–after 1799)
Illustrated by: Ferdinand Kobell (German, 1740–1799)
Illustrated by: Jean-Baptiste Huet (French, 1745–1811)
Illustrated by: Jean Bardin (French, 1732–1809)
Illustrated by: Jacques-Philippe Joseph de St. Quentin (French, born in 1738)
Illustrated by: Claude-Louis Desrais (French, 1746–1816)
Illustrated by: L. Bidault (French, 18th century)
Engraved by: Etienne Fessard (French, 1714–1777)
Engraved by: François Montulay (French, active 1754–1785)
1765–75
Place of Publication: Paris, France

Medium/Technique Illustrated book, entirely engraved, including 723 plates, vignettes, and tailpieces
Dimensions Overall (each vol., depth variable): 19.5 x 13.3 x 3.8 cm (7 11/16 x 5 1/4 x 1 1/2 in.)
Credit Line William A. Sargent Collection—Bequest of William A. Sargent
Accession Number37.1460.1
NOT ON VIEW
ClassificationsIllustrated books
Paris: Chez l'auteur [i.e., Fessard], Durand, Des Lauriers, 1765-1775

Catalogue Raisonné Cohen-de Ricci 551; Ray, French Illustrated Book, 61
Description(Paris: Chez l'auteur [i.e., Fessard], Durand, Des Lauriers, 1765-1775) Octavo, six vols. bound in three; [v. 1] 140 leaves, plus plates; [v. 2] 120 ll., plus pls.; [v. 3] 114 ll., plus plates; modern gilt-stamped red morocco.

Engraved titles, text, plates, and decorations, with illustrations of La Fontaine's fables.

First issue, distinguished from later one by having "Chez l'auteur" as the imprint on most volumes (instead of Des Lauriers). The exceptions are vol. IV, with imprint of "author," Durand, and Des Lauriers, and vol. V, with Des Lauriers imprint alone. An ambitious project published by the engraver Fessard over a period of ten years.
ProvenanceAcquired in 1901 by William A. Sargent, Boston (1858-1936), by whom bequeathed to MFA, November 17, 1937.