Fables de Florian, Suivies de Tobie et de Ruth

Abstract

This book's texts and illustrations are identical with those in another copy from the same publisher at the same time. It appears to be another version of the first printing of Florian's fables illustrated by Grandville and published by Dubochet. The key difference in the two books is the size of the pages, including their margins. This copy also suffers from the fact that its first two pages are loose and may have been bound – or since glued together – in a different order. I cannot complain too much, since the price here from a Paris buchinist was €440 lower than that of other copy! This copy has black leather (leatherette?) covers with gold title and decorations on the spine. The earlier copy has "cartonnage romantique de papier moiré rose, dos lisse avec le titre dans une cartouche dorée. Bel état, sans rousseurs. Rare cortonnage de l'époque, papier moiré." I will include comments I made on the earlier copy. Grandville is always a delight! There are a frontispiece, five title illustrations, and 74 other illustrations. A gem! Among my favorite illustrations from Grandville is the pre-title-page, which uses the same women represented in I, 1 for "truth" and "fable." This pre-title-page includes a whole series of masks and several mirrors, key elements in Florian's presentation of self-knowledge. Another favorite is the title-piece for Book 1, with various animals grouped around a mirror and two human faces within the mirror. Do not miss the following: "The Cat and the Mirror" (14); "The Carp and the Little Carps" (16); "The Monkey Who Shows the Magic Lantern" (68); "The Child and the Mirror" (71); "The Cat and the Sparrow" (98); "The Eagle and the Dove" (152); "The Owl and the Pigeon" (169); "The Male and Female Monkey and the Nut" (185); "The Boasting Cock" (207); "The Ass and the Flute" (222); and "The Flying Fish" (258).