LA FONTAINE. Fables choisies et illustrées par Frélaut. P., - Lot 203

LA FONTAINE. Fables choisies et illustrées par Frélaut. P., published by his friends, 1941. In-8, cherry-red morocco, ivory-rose glazed calf lining and endpapers, title pushed through with personal capital letters and bas-de-casse, gilt on witnesses, printed cover and spine cons. folder, maroq. spine and flaps, edged slipcase (P.-L. Martin). Edition of 100 copies, all on Arches, numbered. Fifty Fables chosen by Jean Frélaut from among country subjects, each illustrated with a delightful original etching. ONE OF THE FIRST 10 COPIES ACCOMPANIED WITH A SUITE IN A PART EDITION OF ALL THE EAUX-FORTES, ON JAPON SIGNED BY THE ARTIST, plus 10 variants or unedited plates, also on japon and signed. Attached to the copy: 1) 2 ORIGINAL AQUARELLES and one unpublished plate on japon, signed. 2) 16 small etchings by Frélaut (greeting cards with autogr., bookplates, etc.). 3) Four autogr. letters from the artist (12 pp. in-8), one with e. f., another with a lovely original sketch, intended for one of the book's illustrations. 4) A superb letter and three pages of notes (in-8 and in-4) by Dunoyer de Segonzac on the preparation of the book, for which he was responsible for layout, printing and presentation. They reveal his perfect mastery of illustrated book production. 5) The prospectus announcing the book's publication. AN EXCEPTIONAL COPY OF ONE OF THE FINEST MODERN ILLUSTRATED BOOKS, VERY RARE AND SOUGHT-AFTER, ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO FIND WITH SUITE