LA FONTAINE (Jean de). Fables choisies. New edition engraved in intaglio. Paris, chez l'auteur, 1765-1775. 6 volumes in-8, green morocco, double framed with gilt roulettes lobed at the inner corners, smooth spine decorated throughout, red morocco title-pieces, decorated edges, inner lace, gilt edges (Binding of the end of the 18th century). One of the finest illustrated editions of La Fontaine's fables, undertaken by the engraver Étienne Fessard, who dedicated it to the Dauphin's sons, the Duc de Berry, the Comte de Provence and the Comte d'Artois, all three destined to reign as Louis XVI, Louis XVIII and Charles X. Entirely engraved in intaglio, the edition is adorned with 6 engraved titles, a frontispiece, 243 out-of-text figures and numerous head and foot plates, in the first edition, executed by Fessard after drawings by Bardin, Bidault, Caresme, Desrais, Houël, Kobell, Leclère, Leprince, Loutherbourg, Meyer and Monnet. The text was engraved by Montulay and Drouët. The copy conforms to the first printing note given by Tchemerzine: "the titles bear: chez l'auteur, except in volume IV which bears the address of Deslauriers, papetier". This fourth volume includes a dedication leaf to Mme de Montespan which is not mentioned by Cohen. A very fine copy in a particularly elegant neoclassical binding in fine condition. From the library of Baron Alexis de Redé, with bookplate. Some minor marginal browning, fine wetness at the head of 3 ff. in vol. 5. Cohen, 551 - Rochambeau, Fables, n°101 - Tchemerzine, III, 876 - Ray, n°61 - Després, 41 - Graver pour le roi, Louvre, 2019, p. 68.