Beschreibung:

LA FONTAINE, Jean de. Fables... avec les dessins de Gustave Doré Paris: Ch. Lahure for L.Hachette & Co., 1867. 2 volumes in one, 2° (430 x 314 mm). Printed on chine paper. Half-titles and titles printed in red and black. Steel-engraved portrait of the author by Delannoy after Sandoz, 84 wood-engraved plates and numerous illustrations by various artists after Doré. Contemporary red crushed morocco panelled in gilt, gilt spine, with raised bands, in six compartments, lettered in two, gilt turn-ins, t.e.g., by Gruel (signed at foot of spine). A FINELY BOUND LARGE COPY OF ONE OF ABOUT 15 ON PAPIER DE CHINE. Doré (1832-1883) was "the last great Romantic illustrator, making a fourth with Gavarni, Grandville, and Tony Johannot Perhaps Taine summed up Doré's appeal most eloquently: 'every imagination appeared languid in comparison with his. For energy, force, superabundance, originality, sparkle, and gloomy grandeur, I know only one equal to his -- that of Tintoretto'" (Ray, p.329). Ray 249.