La Fontaine, Jean de

4 volumes, folio (485 x 322mm.), one of 100 copies on papier impérial d'Auvergne, half-titles, engraved frontispiece portrait of Oudry, woodcut head- and tailpieces by Bachelier, 275 plates by Oudry engraved by Aubert, Aveline and others, plate for "Le singe et le léopard" in its lettered state, with a manuscript letter by M. de Vin dated Paris 10 January 1764 addressed to his stepfather, saying that he has asked the king that he be added to the recipients of this edition, the letter pasted inside an engraved frame at the start of volume 1, contemporary French red morocco, triple gilt fillet border, spines gilt in compartments, gilt edges, later slipcases, occasional light foxing, a few repairs to corners and ends of spines, a few covers slightly spotted

Plausibly a presentation copy from Louis XV to the stepfather of M. de Vin, letter pasted in the front of volume 1; Duke of Roxburghe; Henry John, 8th duke of Roxburghe (1876-1932), armorial bookplates. The famous 1812 sale of the Roxburghe library did contain a copy of this edition (lot 3146), which sold for £7 to Miller, but the present copy does not have the usual Roxburghe ink stamp on the verso of the title-page.

Cohen-De Ricci 548; Rochambeau, Fables 86; Michel, Cochin 198; Ray 5

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

A magnificent large paper copy in a splendid red morocco binding.

Jean-Baptiste Oudry (1686-1755) prepared the artwork for this edition of La Fontaine between 1729 and 1734. He was renowned for his paintings of animals, many of which were based on the menagerie at Versailles. The illustrations were then revised by Cochin, who improved the artwork of the human characters at the expense of the animals.