Dudley,T. Lot n° 5

Fables of Aesop. Series of 27 (of 31 or 32) etchings after F. Barlow. Signed in the plates, one etching dat. 1678. each ca. 19,5 x 16 cm (sheet size: ca. 29 x 22 cm). Late. Hldr. (Heavily scuffed a. dam.). Thieme/B. X, 50: "Stylistically the most meritorious work is a set of 31 scenes from the life of Aesop etched after drawings by Francis Barlow in 1678." Benezit III, 713: "Il grava, pour la Vie d'Esope, de Barlow une suite de 27 gravures." - With engraved title page. - Probably somewhat later impressions. - The 5 unsigned plates according to newer sources probably etched by F. Barlow. - Dudley was a pupil of Wenceslas Hollar, who lived in London, and signed some of the plates "quondam discipulus W. Hollar". - Small marginal tears in places; lightly stained and browned, the white margins stronger, inner joint cracked. - Series of 27 (of 31 or 32) etchings. Signed and dated in the plate. Later half leather (severely rubbed and bumped). Partly small chippings, slightly stained and browned, hinges cracked. R