Fables de La Fontaine

Abstract

I already have an edition of this lovely book that I think is a first edition, but it differs from this one in its cover and last page. This cover has a strip of gold background over the top quarter featuring the title. Superimposed on this gold strip and the tan lower three-quarters is a lively picture of the wig-wearing La Fontaine reading a large copy of his book to two children, who are perched on his arms. The other book, purchased at the Great Russell Hotel Book Fair in 1997, has the same picture within a flecked tan frame. Where that copy's last page declares simply Imp. E. Desfossés, this copy has four lines: Imprimé en France/Brodard et Taupin/Paris - Coulommiers/334-3-1491. I suspect that this, rather than that, is the derivative edition. It has a weak spine and has crayon scribblings on the upper left front cover and on 16-17, 25, 33, and 50-51. Still, it is a spectacular book! I am so glad that that little artist did not deface more of these lovely pages!