Les fables et la vie d'Esope le Phrygien. Avec le sens moral en quatre vers. Traduites du Grec, dédiées à la jeunesse

Abstract

Here is a hardy paperbound book of 144 pages, including 74 rectangular illustrations, regularly 2½" x 1½". There are also occasional printer's designs. Here is the bookseller's description: "In-12 broché, 144 pages. Orné de 74 figures. Bien complet du portrait imaginaire d'Esope en frontispice. Rare ouvrage imprimé par les Frères Deckherr à Porrentruy de 1812 à 1832, spécialistes de l'édition populaire. Papier un peu bruni et quelques petites rousseurs néanmoins très bon exemplaire." A rather crude presentation of Aesop is the full-page verso of the title-page. There is a life of Aesop occupying some 21 pages. The first fable is CJ, as so often in medieval collections. Two typical illustrations are DS on 27 and FS on 49. TMCM has the classic format on 32 of someone coming through the door while the mice are on the table. The elements of the title struck me and led me to check where else these two elements occur: " Avec le sens moral en quatre vers" and "dédiées à la jeunesse." A quick survey turns up a number: LeClerrc 1731; Dugour 1798; Billois 1801; Leroy 1802; Le Prieur 1806; Libraires Associée 1808; Castiaux 1815; and Belin Le Prieur 1827. These all seem to derive from Benserade 1678 (Bodemann #80.2): the reference to quatrains and dedication to youth seems unchanging. Do the quatrains in fact change? See also Bodemann #113. A lucky find!