(GAY, John.) Fables.
First Edition. The large paper, or quarto, issues. “Livre bien illustrate” - Cohen-De Ricci. Two Volumes. Small 4to (24.5 * 20 cm.) Fables, Vol I, Printed for J. Tonson and J. Watts (London), 1727, pp. (xiv), 173, vignette title & 51 copper-plate vignettes engraved by Fourdrinier, Van der Bucht & Baron after Kent, Wooton & Motte. Fables, Vol II, Printed for J. and P. Knapton and T. Cox (London), 1738, pp. (Viii), 155, frontispiece, vignette title & 16 full-page illustrations engraved by Scotin after Gravelot. Exquisitely bound in full crushed morocco by Riviere & Sons, the spines & dentelles richly gilt, rich purple endpapers.
A little wear to the joints; a near fine set.
These volumes have notable provenance, containing the engraved bookplates of Frank Brewer-Bemis (1861-1935), a Boston Banker, noted bibliophile and art collector. Bemis amassed a fine collection of British and American works, most notably including all four William Shakespeare folios. The bookplate was designed by Sidney Lawton Smith. The central panel of the bookplate contains a view of Bemis’ Library at Beverly Farms, Massachusetss. The inscription at the foot of the bookplate reads “Three things to me God lends, Old Pace, Old Books, Old Friends.” (Boston Athenaeum Museum.)
“The Fables of Gay have ever been esteemed for their easy flow of versification for their wit and humour and for containing a considerable portion of moral and worldly instruction. They are not, however, without a very considerable portion of alloy.” (Plumtre, 1823, iii).
Please contact us for shipping costs if ordering from outside the UK.
First Edition. The large paper, or quarto, issues. “Livre bien illustrate” - Cohen-De Ricci. Two Volumes. Small 4to (24.5 * 20 cm.) Fables, Vol I, Printed for J. Tonson and J. Watts (London), 1727, pp. (xiv), 173, vignette title & 51 copper-plate vignettes engraved by Fourdrinier, Van der Bucht & Baron after Kent, Wooton & Motte. Fables, Vol II, Printed for J. and P. Knapton and T. Cox (London), 1738, pp. (Viii), 155, frontispiece, vignette title & 16 full-page illustrations engraved by Scotin after Gravelot. Exquisitely bound in full crushed morocco by Riviere & Sons, the spines & dentelles richly gilt, rich purple endpapers.
A little wear to the joints; a near fine set.
These volumes have notable provenance, containing the engraved bookplates of Frank Brewer-Bemis (1861-1935), a Boston Banker, noted bibliophile and art collector. Bemis amassed a fine collection of British and American works, most notably including all four William Shakespeare folios. The bookplate was designed by Sidney Lawton Smith. The central panel of the bookplate contains a view of Bemis’ Library at Beverly Farms, Massachusetss. The inscription at the foot of the bookplate reads “Three things to me God lends, Old Pace, Old Books, Old Friends.” (Boston Athenaeum Museum.)
“The Fables of Gay have ever been esteemed for their easy flow of versification for their wit and humour and for containing a considerable portion of moral and worldly instruction. They are not, however, without a very considerable portion of alloy.” (Plumtre, 1823, iii).
Please contact us for shipping costs if ordering from outside the UK.
First Edition. The large paper, or quarto, issues. “Livre bien illustrate” - Cohen-De Ricci. Two Volumes. Small 4to (24.5 * 20 cm.) Fables, Vol I, Printed for J. Tonson and J. Watts (London), 1727, pp. (xiv), 173, vignette title & 51 copper-plate vignettes engraved by Fourdrinier, Van der Bucht & Baron after Kent, Wooton & Motte. Fables, Vol II, Printed for J. and P. Knapton and T. Cox (London), 1738, pp. (Viii), 155, frontispiece, vignette title & 16 full-page illustrations engraved by Scotin after Gravelot. Exquisitely bound in full crushed morocco by Riviere & Sons, the spines & dentelles richly gilt, rich purple endpapers.
A little wear to the joints; a near fine set.
These volumes have notable provenance, containing the engraved bookplates of Frank Brewer-Bemis (1861-1935), a Boston Banker, noted bibliophile and art collector. Bemis amassed a fine collection of British and American works, most notably including all four William Shakespeare folios. The bookplate was designed by Sidney Lawton Smith. The central panel of the bookplate contains a view of Bemis’ Library at Beverly Farms, Massachusetss. The inscription at the foot of the bookplate reads “Three things to me God lends, Old Pace, Old Books, Old Friends.” (Boston Athenaeum Museum.)
“The Fables of Gay have ever been esteemed for their easy flow of versification for their wit and humour and for containing a considerable portion of moral and worldly instruction. They are not, however, without a very considerable portion of alloy.” (Plumtre, 1823, iii).
Please contact us for shipping costs if ordering from outside the UK.