LA FONTAINE, Jean de. - Lot 142

Lot n° 142
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280 - 300 EUR
LA FONTAINE, Jean de. - Lot 142
LA FONTAINE, Jean de. La Fontaine's Fables, now first translated from the French by Robert Thomson. Paris, Théophile Barrois, 1806. 4 volumes in a small in-8 format. Pebbled and stained havana calf, smooth spine decorated with gilt caissons and fleurons alternating with triple gilt fillets, gilt title, gilt roulette (oak motif) framing the boards and flap, gilt edges (boards and edges a little rubbed, corners dull, anecdotal stains). One of the originals of the first English translation, here in its charming period English binding. We know of 3 issues at different addresses in the same year, of this first translation of the Fables, and while it is difficult to say here which was the princeps, ours by Barrois is definitely the least common. No copy at CCFr. A handsome copy illustrated with 16 black etchings by Joseph Perdoux with autographed verses, including the frontispieces of volumes 1, 3 and 4. Robert Thomson is considered the first true English translator of the Fables, which before him had only been partially or poorly translated. While admitting the difficulty of translation: "I have heard gentlemen insist that only a La Fontaine could translate La Fontaine..." but "I see nothing but a totally misunderstood, mutilated or murdered La Fontaine" (preface to the Chenu edition). Vol. I. [3] f. (frontis., fx-title and title), 105-[3] p., 3 pl. - Vol. II. [2] f. (fx-title and title), 139 p., 4 pl. - Vol. III. [3] f. (frontis., fx-title and title), 147 p., 3 pl. - Vol. IV. [3] f. (frontis., fx-title and title), 128 p., 3 pl.
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