L'ESTRANGE, ROGER; AESOP

Fables of Aesop and other Eminent Mythologists [bound together with] Fables and Storyes Moralized

London: R. Sare, T. Sawbridge, B. Took, M. Gillyflower, A. & J. Churchil, and J. Hindmarsh, 1692-1699. First Edition. Two volumes bound as one. Folio. [10], 28, [8], 480; [xvi], 238 pp. Each leaf measures 190 x 290 cm. Nineteenth-century tree calf binding, ornamented in gilt on spine with five raised bands; all edges red, with contemporaneous Spanish spot marbled endpapers. Frontispiece portrait of of Sir Roger L'Estrange engraved by R. White, after G. Kneller. Volume 1: Fables of Aesop and other Eminent Mythologists; with Morals and Reflexions. Volume 2: Fables and Storyes Moralized; Being a Second Part of the Fables of Aesop, and Other Eminent Mythologists, &c. The first volume contains Preface, a table of contents, Life of Aesop, the Fables, each followed by a Moral & a Reflexion; the second contains a note to the reader, table of contents, and the Fables etc. Neatly rebacked. Some edgewear, with title label rubbed off. Lacking one plate of Aesop & Animals from Vol. 1 and 2 pp. ads at rear of Vol. 2. Text close-trimmed, with a touch of worming to top of gutter, not affecting the text, and a few pages worn at edges; first gathering of Vol. 1 loose but holding; Vol. 2 browning, as is common. Binding otherwise rather sound. Overall a presentable copy.

Previous ownership inscription to verso of frontis., 'When this you see remember me and bear me in your mind, and let the world say what they will, speak of me as you find. Cadiz, 1848' with initials. Additional previous ownership inscription beneath, 'Presented to Commander Charles S. Fitton by Señor Eduardo Diaz Gomez de Cadiz, British Consul at Huelva, Spain. May 28ty, 1871.' Don Eduardo Diaz was vice-consul, and Charles Sedgwick Fitton, commander of the HMS Lee in the Mediterranean. The first several pages contain curious & suggestive code-like annotations in the same Victorian hand. Wing A706, L1247. Cambridge History of English Literature IX, p. 466.

Sold