Fables Choisies Mises en Vers

Paris: Compagnie des Libraires, 1709. Leather. Good. 6.5" by 3". Not Stated. Two volumes of Jean de la Fontaine's historic fables, here written in the original French, and adorned with head-pieces throughout. In two volumes, being Volumes I and II of a total of five volumes. Written in the original French. A collection of Fontaine's famous fables, which were collected from a wide variety of both Western and Eastern sources. Fontaine adapted the fables into French free verse. Some of the fables include 'The Acorn and the Pumpkin', 'The Tortoise and the Hare', and 'The Dog and the Wolf'. Illustrated throughout with headpieces to each fable. Jean de la Fontaine was best known for being a fabulist, and was one of the most popular and widely read French poets of his time, with his popularity still strong hundreds of years after his death. Prior owner's ink inscription to the front pastedowns, 'Margaret Emma Kenyon, Christmas Day, 1845'. Prior owner's ink inscription to the recto to the front free endpaper of Volume I, 'Auguste ...'. In a full calf binding. Externally, sound. Cracks to the joints, resulting in a little strain to the hinges. Volume I is lacking a spine label. Light loss to the head and tail of the spines. Minor bumping to the extremities. Slight marking to the boards. Loss of leather to the front board of Volume II to the front joint. Volume II is lacking the front endpaper. Prior owner's ink inscription to the front pastedowns. Prior owner's ink inscription to the recto to the front endpaper of Volume I. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are lightly age-toned and generally clean with the odd spot. Mark to the edge of page 25 of Volume II. Good