LA FONTAINE (Jean de). Fables choisies. Paris, Desaint et Sa - Lot 12

LA FONTAINE (Jean de). Fables choisies. Paris, Desaint et Saillant, Durand, 1755-1759. 4 volumes in-folio (40.5 x 27 cm), edition illustrated with a frontispiece by Jean-Baptiste Oudry, finished by Dupuy and engraved by Cochin, a portrait of Oudry engraved by Tardieu after Largillière, and 275 plates out of text by Oudry engraved by the best engravers of the time (Cochin, Tardieu, Prévost, Chedel, Lempereur etc.).) and 203 fine woodcuts with floral or allegorical motifs by Lesueur and Papillon after Bachelier. First edition copy on laid paper with plate CLXXII "le singe et le léopard" without the inscription on the banner. Enriched with Oudry's portrait, added to some copies but not part of the edition. Bound in full contemporary marbled calf, boards framed with gilt garlands, spine with 6 nerves, red morocco title-pieces, green morocco end-pieces, roulette on the spines and chasses. Ex-libris H.M Revellat. This admirable edition was originally a suite of ink drawings by the animal painter Oudry, produced between 1729 and 1734 as a collection of iconographic subjects for the decorative arts. Acquired by Montenault, the drawings were redrawn by Nicolas Cochin for engraving, and entrusted to over 40 engravers chosen by Cochin, to be printed under Montenault's watchful eye on his personal presses. The book's excellent typography, entrusted to Charles-Antoine Jombert, also contributed to its renown. The publishing venture lasted 9 years, and was so financially demanding that the Académie Française, the Court and the King were called upon to help complete the edition. One thousand copies were printed. (light spotting, slight rubbing to corners and spine ends, beginning of split to upper spine of volume 1, small restoration to plate XXIV of first volume, slight foxing).