VIE PRIVEE ET PUBLIQUE DES ANIMAUX

1842. Grandville. (Grandville)illus. VIE PRIVEE ET PUBLIQUE DES ANIMAUX by Balzac et al. Paris, 1842 (1st ed). 2 vols, 4to., Original pictorial boards, 386 and 390pp., plus tables of contents, 210 illustrations on engraved plates hors texte and 120 vignettes, in-texte. One of the great illustrated books. Social satire in which animals play human roles. Grandville's mastery at presenting animals with convincing human expressions, poses, and costumes has been imitated, but never equalled. Very unusual in the pictorial boards. Light wear to the board edges and hinges, expert repair to inner hinges, else a very nice copy.