La FONTAINE (Jean de). Contes et nouvelles en vers. A Londre - Lot 141

La FONTAINE (Jean de). Contes et nouvelles en vers. A Londres, 1743. 2 volumes in one small in-12 (76 x 136 mm), red morocco, wide gilt floral garland framing the boards, ornate smooth spine, gilt edges (late 18th c. binding). Edition probably printed by Cazin. Le Diable de Papefiguière has two verses missing from the Fermiers généraux edition. An allegorical portrait of the author on the frontispiece, a fleuron on each of the two titles and two arabesque vignettes. EXEMPLAIRE IN RED LACE MAROQUIN ENRICHED WITH 80 ENGRAVED FIGURES (39 + 41) which appear to come from the counterfeit published in London around 1770; some are signed MARTINET. Figures of the "Cas de conscience" (II, 117), the "Diable de Papefiguière" (II, 123), the "Lunettes" (II, 170) and the "Rossignol" (II, 238), uncovered. Figure of "La Cruche" (II, 234) in two versions. Joints restored, rubbed and split at head of first; slight rubbing at outer margin of an added plate. Cohen, 557 & 571-572; Rochambeau, 521-522.