La Fontaine | Contes et nouvelles en vers, Amsterdam [Paris], 1762, 2 volumes, red morocco, Wodhull copy

Jean de La Fontaine

Contes et nouvelles en vers. Amsterdam [i.e. Paris: Barbou], 1762

2 volumes, 8vo (179 x 113mm.), half-titles, engraved frontispiece portrait of La Fontaine by Ficquet after Rigault in volume 1, and of Eisen by Ficquet after Vispré in volume 2, engraved head- and tailpieces by Choffard, 80 engraved plates, "avis au relieur" bound at end of each volume, contemporary red morocco, spines gilt in compartments with green and navy morocco lettering-pieces, gilt edges, occasional light foxing

The Wodhull copy of the Fermiers Généraux edition, with Wodhull's manuscript lists on flyleaves of the sources for some of the tales. A fine copy with the plates to "Cas de conscience" and "Diable de Papefiguière" in découverte state.

LITERATURE

Cohen-De Ricci 558; Rochambeau 78

PROVENANCE

Michael Wodhull, signature on flyleaf dated 30 January 1771, and price £3-3s, "of Elmsley" [Peter Elmsley, bookseller on the Strand], and his dates of reading at end, 24 December 1767 and 2 January 1768, his sale, Replica Shoes 's, 16 January 1886, lot 1487, £39