Fabeln des Äsop Nach Steinhöwels Erneuertem Esopus

Abstract

The texts here come from an Insel publication, perhaps published in or about 1933. Insel's own book then used illustrations after those of Vergil Solis. Here we have instead Wassili Masjutin's excellent woodcuts: WC (5); LS (9); FC (13); The Smell of the Lion's Lair (17); Chanticleer and the Fox (21); The Forest, the Woodcutter, and an Axe-Handle (25); FG (29); The Horse and the Lion (33); The Cat and the Rooster (35); and The Wolf, the Shepherd, and the Hunter (37). There is on the title-page a smaller version in brown of the black FG woodcut. These woodcuts are big, bold, and dramatic. The moral of the fable is actually used -- in brown instead of black and in greater pitch -- as each fable's title. I believe I first saw this book in the home of Stefan Filbry. Adele had given it to his family. I had never seen the book before and certainly made note of it. How lucky to be offered it by a favorite dealer in Heidelberg two years later! The spine is leather, and there is a leather inlay with golden lettering in the front cover. I count this as one of the most impressive books in the collection.