PHAEDRUS.
Fabularum Aesopiarum, libri V. Notis illustravit in usum serenissimi Principis Nassauii, David Hoogstratanus. Accedunt ejusdem opera duo indices, quorum prior est omnium verborum, multo quam antehac locupletior, posterior eorum, quae observatu digna in notis occurrunt.
Amsterdam, Fr. Halma, 1701. 4to. With richly engraved allegorical frontispiece with medallion portrait of the Prince of Nassau at the top, by P. Bouttats after J. Goeree, engraved allegorical vignette on title, title printed in red and black, large folding double-page engraved portrait of the young Prince Jan Willem Friso of Nassau by P. Gunst after B. Vaillant, 5 engraved head-pieces, 8 large engraved initials, 30 richly engraved tail-pieces, and 108 medallion illustrations to the fables on 18 full-page engraved plates by J. van Vianen. Contemporary full-grained red morocco, spine ribbed and richly gilt, with triple gilt fillet borders on sides, gilt inner dentelles, and gilt edges. [32], 160, [84] pp.
€ 4,500
Splendid edition of the Phaedrus school book, published by David van Hoogstraten (1658-1724), in 1699, in small octavo, and without illustrations. Now the book is especially made for the education of the young Dutch Prince of Nassau, and represents the most luxurious of all Dutch Phaedrus editions. With dedication to the young Prince, Jan Willem Friso of Nassau, whose large portrait is also present, the size of the book is now large quarto, richly bound in red morrocco, and abundantly illustrated throughout.
The contents however, have remained the same, with the "Life of Phaedrus" by Johan Scheffer from Strasbourg, the "Age of Phaedrus" by Gerard Vossius, and the studious notes by David van Hoogstraten to each of the 94 Phaedrus-fables. Now the fables are beautifully illustrated with fine medaillon designs, six to one plate, especially drawn and engraved for the present edition by Jan van Vianen (ca.1660-1726). They show in vivid scenes what is happening in the fables, often with a second scene taking place in the background, the whole engraved with a fine strong contrast between light and dark, not needing any colouring.
With the bookplates of Guillaume Claude, Comte de Laleu (Olivier 1895), and Frank Linsly James, from Beckford, and with the book-label of Viscount Mersey, Bignor Park. Otherwise in very good condition. Cohen-De Ricci 797; Fabula Docet 42; Landwehr, Emblem & Fable Books, F163; Stevenson Hobbs, Fables, p. 11; The Fox and the Grapes, Checklist Aesopic Fables Pierpont Morgan Library, 1701; not in USTC.
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