LA FONTAINE (Jean) & OUDRY (Jean Baptiste). Fables... Lot 155

LA FONTAINE (Jean) & OUDRY (Jean Baptiste). Fables choisies mises en vers. Paris, Desaint, Saillant & Durand, 1755-1759. 4 large volumes in-folio (491 x 328 mm), [3] ff, XXX-XVIII-124 pp. ; [2] ff, II-135 pp. ; [2] ff, IV-146 pp. ; [2] ff, II -188 pp, red morocco, spine with richly decorated nerves, large gilt border framing the boards with corner fleurons, filleted edges, interior roulette, gilt edges (period binding). Old epidermis restored to the first cover of the first volume. The most prestigious illustrated edition of La Fontaine, illustrated with 4 vignettes on the titles, a frontispiece by Jean-Baptiste Oudry, finished by Dupuy and engraved by Cochin, 275 plates drawn by Oudry and engraved by Cochin, Tardieu, Prévost, Chedel, Lempereur etc., as well as 203 very beautiful wood-engraved cul-de-lampe with floral or allegorical motifs by Le Sueur and Papillon after Bachellier. The brilliance with which Cochin adapted Oudry's drawings makes this work one of the most remarkable illustrated books of the 18th century (Cohen 548; Tchemerzine III 874-875.) This masterpiece was originally a suite of ink drawings by the animal painter Oudry, made between 1729 and 1734, and intended to serve as a collection of subjects from which to draw for paintings and tapestries. Acquired by Montenault, the drawings were redrawn by Nicolas Cochin for engraving, and entrusted to more than 40 engravers chosen by Cochin, to be printed under Montenault's eyes on his personal presses. This immense undertaking of engraving, but also of typography under the direction of Charles-Antoine Jombert, lasted 9 years, and required such funds that the French Academy, the Court, as well as the King were solicited, their financial assistance allowing the completion of the edition. One thousand copies were printed, including some one hundred exceptional first copies on large paper. This one is one of these hundred copies printed on very large HOLLAND paper (491 x 328 mm) with the plate of the fable "le singe et le leopard" in a second edition (legend on the banner) comparable to the one sold at Sothebys on 17/12/2015, n° 13 (465 x 322 mm) and to the Labouret copy (487 x 320 mm), Alde sale of 27/05/2010, n° 37. A superb and very precious copy in very large paper and contemporary morocco. A few tiny traces of wetness. [[[[[small angular tear in the lower margin with missing p. 66 volume III]]]]]