The Fables of Jean de La Fontaine.

Fontaine, Jean de La; Edward Marsh [Translator]; Stephen Gooden [Illustrator]

Published by William Heinemann Ltd, London, 1931

About this Item

Signed limited edition of Jean de La Fontaine's classic fables. Royal octavo, two volumes, bound in full vellum with gilt titles to the spine, tissue-guarded title page vignette, genuine deckled edges, silk ribbon bound in, illustrated with 26 engravings on copper. Boldly signed by translator Edward Marsh and illustrator Stephen Gooden on the colophon page facing the title page. One of 525 numbered copies, this is number 246. In very good condition. Translated into English verse by Edward Marsh. Illustrated by Stephen Gooden. The Fables of Jean de La Fontaine represent a pinnacle of 17th-century French literature, blending classical influences with sharp social commentary. Drawing inspiration from Aesop, Phaedrus, and Eastern traditions, La Fontaine crafted fables that were formally elegant, morally instructive, and richly allegorical. First published in multiple volumes between 1668 and 1694, the fables use animals and rural settings to satirize the court, critique human folly, and subtly question the power structures of Louis XIVâ s absolutist regime. Their stylistic refinement, vivid characterizations, and rhythmic verse made them not only a cornerstone of French literary education but also a touchstone for Enlightenment thinkers who admired their wit and ethical nuance.

Seller Inventory # 148845

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Fables of Jean de La Fontaine.
• Publisher: William Heinemann Ltd, London
• Publication Date: 1931
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Signed: Signed by Author(s)
• Seller catalogs:
  • Fine Bindings and Sets