Two volumes, 16.6 x 11.4 cm each, uniformly bound in sprinkled calf, spine with raised bands, gilt in compartments, with crimson and black gilt lettered labels. Ink inscription to title page of vol. 1: “Thomas Fry. St: John’s, Oxford.”
Vol. 1: Collation: 4to; π2 ✶2 a4 b3 A-Z4 2A-2E4 2F1, (total 124 leaves), plus frontispiece, 29 in-text vignettes. Pagination: [2] – h.t., [2] – t.p., [4] – preface, [i] ii-xiv – Vie de La Fontaine, [1] 2-224, [2] – table, (total 248 pages), ils.
Vol. 2: Collation: 4to; π2 ✶3 A-Z4 2A-2K4 2L3, (total 140 leavs), 40 in-text vignettes. Pagination: [2] – h.t., [2] – t.p., [6] – preface, [1] 2-268, [2] – table, (total 280 pages), ils.
Illustrations: frontispiece by Lebas (signature erased), Vie de La Fontaine headpiece by Fessard after Cochin, 2 fleurons on two title pages, 69 vignettes by Chedel, Fessard, and Ravenet after Cochin (not signed).
Catalogue raisonné: Lewine: 278; Cohen-deRicci: 557-8.
Contributors:
Charles-Nicolas Cochin (French, 1715 – 1790) – artist.
Engravers:
Pierre Quentin Chedel (French, 1705 – 1763).
Étienne Fessard (French, 1714 – 1774).
Simon François Ravenet (French, 1706 – 1764).
Jacques-Philippe Le Bas [Lebas] (French, 1707 – 1783).
Provenance:
Thomas Fry (British, 1718 – 1772) – English priest and academic, president of St John’s College, Oxford from 1757.
