Set of 40 animal engravings.

Cuttings from various editions of Aesop's fables, c. 9 x 11 cm; most with text on verso (old traces on verso, 2 pl. foxing).

Most stuck two by two by upper or left side. Good general condition.

From Dutch (20), French (5) or Latin (1) editions, 14 plates with verso bl. This successful emblem book based on Aesop's fables was originally published by Gheeraerts the Elder (c. 1520-c. 1590) in Bruges in 1567 under the title "De warachtighe fabulen der dieren"; a French version titled "Esbatement moral des animaux" was published in 1578, followed by a Latin version in 1579. The copper plates were still used in 18th-c. books and were copied by various artists all over Europe.