Fables de La Fontaine: Edition Illustrée, Vol. I

Abstract

This is a lovely pair of volumes. It belongs, I believe, most appropriately between Bodemann #287.3 and #287.4. It seems that the family of Bodemann #287 is dominated by the illustrations of Jules David. The unusual quality of these two volumes may be to integrate his work with those of others. He is responsible, I believe, for the lovely portal illustrations on thin paper before each book, one of which is illustrated at Bodemann #287.1. It appears in this copy facing the frontispiece cameo of La Fontaine, just before the title-page. These little (4½ x 6¾) volumes include not only those portals before each book but also, for each book, a full-page black-and-white illustration, like GA for Book I. One of the two signatures for this GA is Thompson. Might the other be S. Grenier? Virtually every fable has an introductory partial-page illustration. These I believe I have seen often before. Many also have tailpieces or printer's designs. The headpieces and tailpieces are extraordinarily clear and sharp. Other full-page illustrations are added, like Les Voleurs et l'Ane facing 65, with a slipsheet (this illustration is signed by Johannot and Thompson). The first book is also interrupted for a full-page illustration of FS, apparently unsigned. MSA again interrupts with a full-page illustration facing 126, signed by Thompson and another. A further interrupter is Le Loup, la Mere, et l'Enfant facing 196, without attribution. One of these full-page illustrations takes a fresh look at The Old Woman and the Two Servants. Instead of the old woman awakening the unhappy girls, we have the girls ready to kill the cock that keeps waking them up (facing 222). The portal for Book VI is signed by Schaal and Laisné (?). These and other names fit with the engravers in Bodemann #287.3. The last of the full-page illustrations is a surprising TH (facing 266). Though the two animals are presented in small format, the picture is dominated by two human beings, male and female, while a third lingers in the background with a staff. There is a T of C for this volume at the end. In sum, this lovely pair of volumes offers four kinds of illustrations. First, there is a portal for each book, offering several images in an architectural tour-de-force. Secondly, there are the strong full-page illustrations. Thirdly there are the standard but well printed headpieces for each fable. Fourthly, there are tailpieces and printer's designs at the end of some fables.