1890 Rare French Book - Fables de La Fontaine. Illustrated.

Author: Jean de La Fontaine. Weir, Desandré, and Hadamar, illustrators.
Title:  Fables de La Fontaine. Nouvelle Édition illustrée par Weir, Desandré et Hadamar.
Publisher: Paris, Librairie de Théodore Lefèvre et Cie; Émile Guérin, no date (1890).
Language: Text in French.
Size: 8.5" X 6".
Pages: 248 pages.
Binding: Attractive and very good, near fine original publisher's red cloth binding, elaborately gilt-stamped with intricate floral and animal motifs surrounding a central vignette depicting the famous fable Le Corbeau et le Renard (hinges fine, overall slightly scuffed - as shown) under a protective removable mylar cover. A rare find in such a nice condition!
Content: Good content (bright, tight, some light foxing and staining -  as shown, name of a previous 1909 owner on the first endpaper - as shown).
Illustrations: Richly illustrated by Weir, Desandré, and Hadamar, featuring detailed black-and-white engravings that bring La Fontaine’s beloved fables to life. (Complete).

The book: This edition of Fables de La Fontaine is a finely illustrated and well-preserved example of late 19th-century French bookmaking. La Fontaine's fables are an essential part of French literary heritage, known for their wit, moral lessons, and timeless appeal. This particular edition, with its vibrant red cover and detailed illustrations, is a collector’s item that reflects the craftsmanship of its era.

The author: Jean de La Fontaine (1621–1695) was a French fabulist and poet renowned for his adaptations of Aesop's fables, reinterpreted with a distinct French flavor and keen moral insight. His works are celebrated for their poetic style, narrative skill, and lasting relevance across generations