FABLES CHOISIES, Mises en Vers Par J. De La Fontaine

4 volumes. First edition, first issue of this extraordinary work, considered to be one of the finest illustrated books ever produced in France, and considered by Ray to be ?one of the most ambitious and successful of all illustrated books. The plate entitled "Le Singe et le L?opard" is first issue and is without lettering in the banner. Engraved frontispiece, and with the engraved portrait Oudry by Tardieu after de Largilli?re included in only some copies, and 275 engraved plates after Jean-Baptiste Oudry by Cochin, Tardieu, Pr?vost, Chedel Lempereur and others. As well, there are over 200 very finely engraved vignettes, head- and tail-pieces by Lesueur after Bachelier. Large folio, 15 3/4 x 11 inches, bound in very handsome contemporary full motteled calf, the boards framed with gilt double-ruled lines, the spine with wide bands creating gilt framed compartments, each double-gilt ruled and decorated in a floral motif including large central gilt flowers, two compartments with contrasting red and brown morocco labels gilt lettered, endpapers marbled and a.e.g. Vol. I: [4], xxx, xvii, 124pp. 70 plates, frontispiece engraving, portrait engraving of Oudry; Vol. II: [4], ii, 135pp. 68 plates; Vol. III: [4], 146 pp. 68 plates; Vol. IV: [4], ii, 188 pp. 69 plates A fine and handsome set, very well preserved with only light evidence of use or age, confined primarily to the extremities, the tips and hinges with some very sympathetic, expert and unobtrusive refurbishment. The plates and text-blocks generally very clean and fresh. Occasionally a bit of the toning typical to the work.