Fables of La Fontaine – Rare French Children’s Book with Color Illustrations

A large-format French children’s book, Fables de La Fontaine, published by Imagerie Pellerin à Épinal, known for their richly illustrated storybooks. Titled in ornate, colorful Art Nouveau-style lettering, this edition includes full-page color lithographs illustrating Jean de La Fontaine’s classic fables. The interior features hand-colored scenes like “Le Loup & L’Agneau” (The Wolf and the Lamb), arranged in comic-strip fashion. The back cover is equally decorative, serving as a visual preview of other stories.

The spine shows wear, and the covers have edge scuffing and surface wear, consistent with age. Inside front cover has period child’s pencil drawings. The pages have come detached from the covers and spine. Measures 16.5" x 12".

Date: Likely late 19th to very early 20th century (circa 1890–1910)