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Estimate: $ 4,000 - $ 6,000
LA FONTAINE, JEAN DE. Fables Choisies. 277 (instead of 276) engraved plates by various artists after Jean-Baptiste Oudry, with the plate for fable 172 in Volume 3 present in both the first and second states. Half-titles. 4 volumes. Folio, 417x272 mm, later 18th-century tree calf, rebacked in the early 19th-century with gilt decoration in romantic style and morocco lettering pieces, spine ends, raised bands, and cover edges worn; contents toned, scattered minor spotting, plates 78, 86, 151, and 240 with ragged bottom edges. Paris: Chez Desaint et al., 1755-59
first oudry edition. Without the portrait of Oudry found in some sets but not actually belonging to this edition. Cohen-de Ricci 548; Ray, The Art of the French Illustrated Book 5 ("one of the most ambitious and successful of all illustrated books").
