LA FONTAINE (Jean de). Contes et nouvelles en vers. Amsterdam [Paris], s.n. [Barbou], 1762. 2 volumes small in-8, red morocco, triple gilt fillet, spine decorated with a repeated iron bird, interior lace, gilt edges (Capé). This famous edition is known as the edition of the fermiers généraux, because it was financed by these powerful financiers whose influence had been growing since the Regency. "Of all the illustrated books of the 18th century, this edition is the most beautiful and pleasing," writes Cohen. In addition to the Contes de La Fontaine, it contains a Dissertation sur la Joconde by Boileau and five tales not by La Fontaine: La Couturière, Le Gascon and La Cruche by Autereau, Promettre est un et tenir est un autre by Vergier, and finally Le Rossignol, which is attributed to Lamblin and Trousset de Valincourt. Charles Eisen's masterpiece, the illustration includes 80 hors texte figures engraved after his drawings by Aliamet, Baquoy, Choffard, Delafosse, Flipart, Lemire, Leveau, de Longueil and Ouvrier, 2 portraits of La Fontaine and Eisen interpreted by Ficquet after Rigaud and Vispré, 6 vignettes and 53 culs-de-lampe by Choffard (the penultimate of which includes a self-portrait). A quality copy, with wide margins and very well established by Capé. Five figures are here in double state: Le Cas de conscience and Le Diable de Papefiguière, covered and uncovered; Alix malade and Le Remède, with and without curtain ornaments; Les Cordeliers de Catalogne, engraved by Bacquoy and regrafted by de Longueil. Le Cocu battu et content contains the proof regrafted by de Longueil, which is superior to Leveau's; finally, Féronde's engraving is without the bonnet. From the library of Duchess Ludmilla de Croÿ (1870-1953), née Princess and Duchess of Arenberg, with bookplate. Minor scattered spotting, small stain on title of first volume. Rochambeau, 525, n°79 - Cohen, 558 - Ray, 51-62 - Hédé-Haüy, 27-50.