by J. de la Fontaine, Paris: Desaint and Saillant and Chez Durand, 1755-1759, four volumes in full vellum with brown lettered spines, with 275 engraved plates after Jean-Baptiste Oudry and with engraved frontispiece portrait of Oudry (complete), numerous woodcut title vignettes and head and tail pieces, Ray [The Art of the French Illustrated Book], 5: "one of the most ambitious and successful of all illustrated books," the plate facing page 110 is in its second state with the words "Le Leopard" on the banner, 16-1/4 x 11-1/4 in.

some water staining mostly in Volumes II and IV, affecting some plates, some corners slightly bumped and occasional wear at the extremities, otherwise very good condition