Fables, of Aesop. bound with; Fables and Storyes Moralized

Home » Shop » Fables, of Aesop. bound with; Fables and Storyes Moralized

Aesop, Roger L'Estrange,

Fables, of Aesop. bound with; Fables and Storyes Moralized

London: Printed for Richard Sare. 1708

Availability: Sold

$150.00

Enquiry

The 1708 complete edition of L’Estrange’s Fables of Aesop, Parts I and II bound together in an early 18th Century English Black Morocco Gilt binding.

The volume(s) measure about 19.8 cm. by 12.5 cm. by 6 cm.

Each leaf measures about 195 mm. by 122 mm.

The full title of the first part reads as follows:

“Fables, of Aesop And Other Eminent Mythologists: with Morals and Reflexions. / By Sir Roger L’Estrange, Kt. / The Fifth Edition Corrected. / Vol. I [and Vol. II – the set is complete, the two volumes bound as one]. / London: / Printed for R. Sare, A. and J. Churchill, D. Brown, T. Goodwin, M. Wotton, J. Nicholson, G. Sawbridge, B. Tooke, and G. Strahan. 1708.”

The first volume is paginated as follows: [12], 29 [i.e.33], [11], 550, [2].

Pp.21-33 of ’The life’ misnumbered 17-29. With a final leaf of advertisements. Variant has “Vol. I.” on titlepage; intended to be issued with: ’Fables and Storyes Moralized’, vol. 2, 2d ed., 1708. (our copy).

The full title of the second part reads as follows:

“Fables and Storyes Moralized. Being a Second Part of the Fables of Aesop, And other Eminent Mythologists, &c. / By Sir Roger L’Estrange, Kt. / Vol. II [and Vol. I – the set is complete, the two volumes bound as one]. / The Second Edition. / London: / Printed for Richard Sare at Grayes-Inn-Gate in Holborn, MDCVIII [1708].”

The second volume is paginated as follows: [10], 266, [6].

While ESTC calls for a plate in Volume II, in the copies bound together the plate of Aesop is now in the first volume next to L’Estrange’s portrait.

ESTC: T84996  Wing O516  ESTC: N8022

The volume is in excellent condition internally. The leaves are clean, with ample margins and clear print throughout. There is some mild toning. The binding is in about good condition, with strong hinges. The leather upon the spine is cracked in the middle, but the book-block holds together by the cords. The boards remain quite fresh and the original morocco spine label has been retained.

Please take the time necessary to review the photos below in order to gain a better understanding of the content and condition of the volume.

Roger L’Estrange is famous both for this translation and for his numerous Royalist and anti-Whiggish pamphlets published from the 1650s through the 1680s. He was the licenser of the press from 1682 until the Glorious Revolution and did his best to cause difficulties for those who did not share his views. Most interestingly, the “Morals and Reflexions” of the present edition reflect very clearly L’Estrange’s political affiliations, as does the translation itself.

The Fables of Aesop are, of course, amongst the most famous and oldest examples of the surviving literature of ancient Greece. They have been used for pedagogy for at least 2500 years and have attained to the greatest popularity in every age. Aesop’s Fables include such immortal tales as ‘The Tortoise and the Hare,” “The Goose that Laid the Golden Eggs,” “The Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing,” and “The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse.”

FEATURED PRODUCTS

You've just added this product to the cart: