This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/25/2024
[EXTRA-ILLUSTRATED]. [EISEN, Charles-Dominique-Joseph (1720-1778), illustrations after]. LA FONTAINE, Jean de (1621-1695). Contes et Nouvelles en Vers. Paris: Didot Jeune, 1796. 8vos. Complete with Engraved portrait of La Fontaine after Rigaud in first volume, four vignettes (including two on the title pages), 43 tailpiece vignettes, and 80 (plus 24 plates laid-in before letters, these plates are not called-for) engraved plates after the drawings of Eisen. All plates uncolored. Two volumes. xvi, 232; xii, 268, [iv] pp. Approximately 9 x 6”. original publisher’s blue marbled wrappers,untrimmed (bindings quite worn, each volume with a split spines, rear wrapper of volume 2 is loose, some edgewear to text and plates, one plate has a tear barely affecting the image, else plates are clean). Good. THE RARE “UNCOVERED” ISSUE WITH 20 PLATES OF NUDES. Three of the laid-in plates are on laid-paper, the rest are on wove paper. Each volume is housed in chemise and quarter burgundy morocco slipcases. Charles-Dominique-Joseph Eisen was a wonderful rococo draughtsman, and these volumes are full of his very charming and frequently salacious illustrations. His first significant commission was to illustrate a volume celebrating the betrothal of the Dauphin Louis to Maria Theresa of Spain; he became primarily known for his book illustration. Benezit notes that Eisen is best-known for his drawings, and notably those reproduced in this splendid work.