227 - LA FONTAINE, Jean de.

LA FONTAINE, Jean de. Tales and Short Stories in Verse. Amsterdam (Paris), (Imprimerie de Plassan), 1762. 2 volumes, small 8vo, (2)-XIV-268-(2) pp., with portrait and illustrations, and (3)-VIII-306-(4) pp., with portrait and illustrations. Contemporary red morocco, smooth spines with decorative embellishments, title and volume number labels in green morocco, gilt title, compartments decorated with a gilt fire pot, frames of fine gilt scrollwork on the covers, gilt scrollwork on the edges and inner covers, blue paste paper endpapers, gilt edges (spine very slightly faded, slight rubbing on the covers, corners and clasps, a few scattered stains and foxing spots, a few slight traces of water damage on the sides, one inner clasp slightly loose at the end of Volume II). Description: The so-called “Fermiers Généraux” edition, printed by Plassan. “Among the illustrated books of the 18th century, this edition of the *Contes*, known as the ‘Fermiers Généraux’ edition, is the most beautiful and pleasing work as a whole; it is, moreover, Eisen’s masterpiece.” (Cohen). A fine copy in its contemporary red morocco binding. Printed on laid paper with portraits of La Fontaine and Eisen after Rigault and by Frisquet, dated 1761. Includes a self-portrait of Choffard as a colophon at the end of Volume II. Numerous finely executed black-and-white engravings: this copy features “Le Cas de conscience,” “Les Lunettes,” “Le Bât,” and “Le Rossignol,” all of which are covered. "Le Diable" and "Minutolo" are uncovered. Header and footer engravings by Choffard, dated and signed, on copper and not re-engraved. Includes the engraving of La Fontaine’s tomb at the end of his “Vie.” An additional engraving of “The Falcon.” Lacks the notes to the bookbinder mentioned by Cohen.