Jean de La Fontaine / Gustave Doré - Favole – Centinaia di illustrazioni – Grande formato - 1868

Important illustrated edition of La Fontaine's fables, enriched by the compositions of Gustave Doré. An imposing volume in the original French language, in the format 37 × 29 cm, with hundreds of black-and-white illustrations, including large full-page scenes, vignettes, title pages and endpieces. Engraved portrait of the author in the frontispiece.

Doré's inventiveness accompanies the tale through animals, figures and landscapes animated by rich details and deep chiaroscuro. The large format enhances the finesse of the engravings and the scenic character of the compositions, making the volume particularly interesting for nineteenth-century illustrated-book collectors.

A complete specimen, with main pagination of 864 pages. Half-leather binding with marbled boards, smooth spine divided by ornamental bands and titling impressed in gold. Marbled endpapers and flyleaves, well preserved save for slight stains; edges regular. Overall dimensions: 37 × 29 × 5.5 cm.

Foxing and scattered, diffuse browning; marginal tears from prior humidity, especially at the foot and outer margin of numerous initial leaves, including the title page. Marginal tear on page 845, not affecting the text. Binding with scuffs and circumscribed losses of the covering on the boards and at the ends, more evident on the rear board; wear to the tips and small tears at the top of the spine, which retains the title and gold ornaments.

An edition of solid collecting interest, in which the tradition of French fables finds one of its most evocative figurative interpretations.

Bibliographical references

Bibliothèque nationale de France, Catalogue général, entry FRBNF30716029, relating to the Paris edition Hachette of 1868.