5617 - Sadeler II, Aegidius

Sadeler II, Aegidius and Raphaël Trichet du Fresne (1611 Bordeaux–1661 Paris). Various figures drawn from the fables of Aesop and others. 34 copperplate engravings on 39 sheets, plus the title illustration and including the table of contents, after Marcus Gheeraerts. Each approx. 9.2 x 11.2 cm (copper plates); 22 x 15.8 cm (sheet size). Paris, 1659. Based on drawings that Gheeraerts had originally created for two books of fables. Sadeler’s copperplate engravings—most of which he likely executed himself—first appeared in an anonymous German collection of fables titled *Theatrum morum. Artliche gesprach der thier (Prague, 1608). This collection had a major influence on French fable production—an influence owed primarily to the beautiful illustrations with which Sadeler had adorned his collection. Raphaël Trichet du Fresne then used them for his book of fables, which appeared in a first edition in 1659, and a portion of which is presented here. Excellent prints with typographic text below the illustration and on the reverse side of every page. Minimally stained, partly slightly bumped, some pages with missing sections and paper loss in the lower right corner (the copperplate engravings are unaffected), the title page is browned and has paper discoloration, along with other conservation issues and signs of handling. - Please ask for condition reports for individual lots, as the condition is usually not mentioned in the catalog. - Please ask for condition reports for individual lots, as the condition is usually not mentioned in the catalog.