Fables Choisies de la Fontaine et Florian (Cover: Fables de la Fontaine)

Abstract

This large-format, canvas-bound book is perhaps closest to a Gordinne publication I have listed under 1946? Like that book, this publication combines full-page illustrations that are full-colored (there are ten here) with a number of different styles and colors of monochromatic illustrations. The pagination is curious. There is a full book of thirty-two pages, then one of eight pages, then a second of thirty-two and a second of eight--all without repetition. The book's date of 1937 comes from the page 32s and the page 8s. Is this the same exploding frog a la Rabier on 21 here that I comment on there on 39? Several pages here have suffered some cutting. Though it is one of the cut pages, OF on 21 is one of the best illustrations. A strong illustration is that for The Two Mules on (the second) 3. The artist takes the moment of execution of the money-carrying mule with a pistol shot to the head. The courtly little mosquito seems to be thrusting a sword into the lion's nose on 9. Contrast the visual styles of The Drunk and His Wife (second 29), The Peasant of the Danube (third 3), and The Tightrope Walker (fourth 3). Here are two last curiosities in this curious book. The cover reads Fables de la Fontaine but the title-page reads Fables Choisies de la Fontaine et Florian. In fact, I do not notice any Florian fables here. Secondly, the milkmaid on the front cover really is dancing--and of course the milk-can is already tipping.