Fables de Florian, Suivies de Tobie et de Ruth

Abstract

For some time, I have wanted to get an early Grandville Florian. Here is the earliest! It was a major find for me with an old friend at an impressive international book fair. François Coté describes the qualities of the physical book: 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 am delighted to see the illustrations, which I have seen elsewhere in reproductions, in their pristine, sharp state here. 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).