Fables de La Fontaine, Tome Second

Abstract

This is a beautifully produced and bound pair of little (3 x 4¾) volumes. Bodemann #238.4 describes them well. This second volume begins with an Avertissement and a dedication to Madame de Montespan and then dives into the last six books of fables. There are no indices or tables in this volume. The small but fine engravings here include La Cour du Lion (22); Le Chat, la Belette et le Petit Lapin (43); Le Cochon, la Chèvre et le Mouton (76); Le Loup et le Chasseur (112); Le Milan et le Rossignol (151); La Perdrix et les Coqs (180); Le Fermier, le Chien et le Renard (206); Les Deux Chèvres (241); L'Aigle et la Pie (257); and La Ligue des Rats (295). My votes for the best of these go to Le Milan et le Rossignol; La Perdrix et les Coqs; Les Deux Chèvres; and La Ligue des Rats. There is a lovely bit of embossing on the front and back covers as well as the spine.