- 80
La Fontaine, Jean de
Estimate
3,000 - 5,000 GBP
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Description
- La Fontaine, Jean de
- Fables choisies, mises en vers. Tome premier (-quatrieme). Paris: Charles-Antoine Jombert for Desaint & Saillant, and Durand, 1755-1759
4 volumes, folio (483 x 322mm.), one of 100 copies on papier impérial, half-titles, added engraved 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, contemporary mottled calf, triple gilt fillet border, spines gilt in compartments, gilt edges, preliminary leaves misbound, extremities slightly rubbed, one plate and one text leaf repaired in margins, a few text leaves in volume 4 lightly browned, upper joint of volume 4 cracked
Literature
Cohen-De Ricci 548; Rochambeau, Fables 86; Michel, Cochin 198; Ray 5
Condition
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."
"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."
Catalogue Note
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.
The paper stock has an Auvergne watermark, which indicates that it is one of the hundred copies printed on papier impérial, the second largest paper stock on which this edition was printed.