Fables of La Fontaine – Gustave Doré – c.1880 | Thornbury Translation, Gilt Cloth Folio

The 1880 Fables of La Fontaine Doré folio presents Jean de La Fontaine’s classic fables in a substantial folio format, printed in New York by Cassell Publishing and translated into English verse by Walter Thornbury. This edition features 85 full-page engravings by Gustave Doré, reproduced at a size that preserves their clarity and spatial detail. The text follows La Fontaine’s arrangement across all twelve books, rendered in rhythmic English and paired with illustrations that reflect the tone of each fable.

This edition preserves the full sequence of fables, each accompanied by a dedicated plate. The translation is structured to maintain narrative rhythm, with a layout that places visual and text elements in direct proximity. Doré’s engraved work reflects contrasts in tone across the stories, from severity to satire, and benefits from the page scale of the folio. Paper quality and wide margins support the clarity of both text and image, aligning with the expectations for mid-century illustrated gift books.

The Cassell edition in its original cloth binding is not commonly encountered in complete, clean condition. While other versions exist in smaller formats or with abridged text, this printing includes the full sequence of plates and full-length translation.

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Fables of La Fontaine
• Author(s): Jean de La Fontaine
• Illustrator(s): Gustave Doré
• Contributor(s): Walter Thornbury (Translator)
• Publisher: New York, Cassell Publishing Company
• Edition: Undated, c.1880 folio edition
• Format: Folio, single volume
• Binding: Original gold/yellow cloth, blind stamped
• Size: 12 in × 9.75 in (30.5 cm × 24.5 cm)
• Collation: vi, 7-175, [1] pp
• Illustrations: 85 full-page wood engravings by Gustave Doré
• Provenance: Handwritten inscription to Alta Smith, By Jake and Alice, Dec. 25/98.
• Contents Include:
  • Preface by Walter Thornbury
  • Selections from Books I–XII in English verse
  • Engraved frontispiece and pictorial title paged

Condition:

Bound in original gold/yellow publisher’s cloth with gilt-stamped titling to the spine and front board, the cover design includes blind-stamped panels and decorative flourishes. The cloth shows light wear to edges and corners, and the spine remains intact. Gilt is faded but legible. Internally complete, with all plates present. The thick paper stock has held up well, with only mild toning and no major foxing. Wide margins and clean page surfaces throughout. Hinges are secure.

Why Collect This?

• Original Cassell folio edition with complete plate suite
• Publisher’s decorative gold/yellow cloth binding
• English verse translation by Victorian literary figure Walter Thornbury
• Large-format prints of Doré’s full-page wood engravings
• Sought by collectors of illustrated literature and 19th-century translation

Item Number: #28646