Contes moraux

Paris: J. Merlin Libraire, 1765. Second edition (preceded by several 1761 printings), but the first illustrated edition. 12mo (also issued in 8vo). 3 volumes: (4), xvi, (2), 345; (6), 376; (4), 312, (3) pp. Volumes one and two with engraved title page only, volume three with extra engraved title page. Engraved portrait frontispiece to volume one and 23 engraved plates by Gravelot. Marmontel (1723-1799), French historian and contributor to the Encyclopedie, originally wrote this famous series of tales for inclusion in the periodical Le Mercure beginning in 1758. Brunet vol. III, p. 1440. Graesse vol. 4, p. 406. Paper flaw in the final two leaves in volume two, taking several words of text, a few signatures slightly pulled, some scattered foxing to margins, but an attractive copy. Contemporary mottled calf (a little rubbed, marbled endpapers, leather labels and gilt ornaments and rules on spine, all edges red. (#5969). (Inventory #: 58785)