LA FONTAINE, Jean de. OEuvres. Volumes 1 to 3. - Lot 123

LA FONTAINE, Jean de. OEuvres. Volumes 1 to 3. Paris, Hachette et Cie, 1883-1885. 3 volumes in-8, cherry half-chagrin, spines framed in cold, gilt fleurons to entrenerfs, gilt title and tomaison. Contemporary binding. CCXXIV (avertissement, notice sur l'auteur) and 471 pp. ; III and 524 pp. ; 429 pp. 2 engraved frontispiece portraits of the author, 12 engraved plates under serpente hors-texte. Title printed in black and red. Minor rubbing, light stains on leather, very rare foxing, mainly in margins. New edition of La Fontaine's works, revised on the basis of the earliest impressions and autographs, and enlarged by Henri de Régner with variants, notices, notes, a glossary of remarkable words and phrases, portraits and facsimiles. The illustrations include 2 portraits of the author on the frontispiece of volumes 1 and 2, and 12 plates engraved hors-texte. These first three volumes are devoted to the famous Fables. As is often the case, this series is incomplete (11 volumes in all). A solid, well-bound set.