LA FONTAINE Jean de (1621-1695). Fables choisies. Paris: Desaint et Saillant, de l'imprimerie de Jombert, 1755-1759. Copy in contemporary red morocco of this famous edition of La Fontaine's Fables in the second state with the word 'Le Leopard' added to the insignia on the plate of Fable 172. This is one of the most famous illustrated works of the French 18th century with plates taken from drawings by Jean-Baptiste Oudry (1686-1755) and engraved by Chedel, Cochin, Aubert, Aveline, Baquoy and others. The work owes its origin to a series of drawings made by Oudry between 1729 and 1734, and intended to serve as a collection of subjects for paintings and tapestries. Acquired by the printer Regnard de Montenault, the drawings were redrawn by Nicolas Cochin for engraving, then entrusted to more than forty engravers and finally printed on Montenault's personal presses. This vast and expensive undertaking was entrusted to Charles-Antoine Jombert and lasted nine years. The funds required were such that the financial support of the Academy of France, the Court and finally the King was required to complete the edition. 4 volumes, Folio, (410 x 280mm). Half-titles, allegorical frontispiece to the first volume with portraits of La Fontaine and Aesop, Portrait of Oudry, engraved vignette to title pages designed by Jean-Jacques Bachelier and engraved by Nicolas Le Sureur, 275 engraved plates designed by Jean-Baptiste Oudry and engraved by various artists, 209 woodcut culs-de-lampe (slight waterstains on the frontispiece, title page and portrait of Oudry in the first volume, occasional small stains in the outer margin of some leaves without affecting text or plates, occasional light waterstains). Contemporary red morocco binding with green morocco tassels, (one tassel missing on third volume, some chippings and stains on the boards of some volumes). Provenance: 'Bibliotheque de Mr. le Vicomte des Fossez' (19th century heraldic ex libris on the endpapers). (4)