LA FONTAINE (Jean de) & FRAGONARD (Jean-Honoré). Contes - Lot 52

LA FONTAINE (Jean de) & FRAGONARD (Jean-Honoré). Contes et Nouvelles en vers. Facsimile of an 18th-century manuscript. S. l. (Paris), s. n., s. d. (c. 1935). 2 vols. in folio (35.5 x 26 cm), burgundy morocco, ornate ribbed spines, gilt title and tomaison, triple gilt fillet and lace framing the boards, double gilt fillet on the edges, inner lace, blue moiré silk lining and endpapers, gilt edges, bordered slipcases. Beautiful reproduction of the manuscript calligraphed by MONCHAUSSÉ in a green and pink frame, illustrated with 57 bistre washes by FRGAONARD in 1780 and decorated with culs-de-lampe. Preserved in the Duthuit collection at the Petit Palais, the original manuscript was produced for Bergeret. Only 22 of Fragonard's compositions were engraved for the 1795 Didot edition. This facsimile was produced by Daniel JACOMET under the supervision of a small committee of art lovers and bibliophiles. Limited edition of 200 copies. Copy complete with the 4-page explanatory note written by Raymond ESCHOLIER and numbered "176". Contains 3 notules including Béraldi's with his bookplate (facsimiles). KF leather bookplate. A superb copy of this rare facsimile of a bibliophilic treasure.