Fables Choisies de J.-P. Claris de Florian, Premiere Série

Abstract

Bodemann 375.2. The friendly people at Ripping Yarns found this pair of volumes while I was off getting money for the great things I had already found. They were not sure that I would want it, and they were also not sure that they wanted to sell it. I can see why! See my comments on the single leather-bound volume that includes both parts of this edition. This copy is the same size (20 x 15 cm) and also uses crepe-paper (or rice-paper?). The illustrations generally are not as sharp in this copy, which shows more wear. Even one degree more worn, they are brilliant! If a reader wanted to visit one new and very dramatic illustration here, let it be Le Milan et le Pigeon. There is again indication of a deluxe limited edition of 200 copies on Japanese Ho-sho paper, which seems not to include the present volume. These are such exquisite volumes that I will keep both copies in the collection, especially since each has some advantages over the other.