Twenty Four Fables of Aesop and Other Eminent Mythologists, Aesop — 1st Ed

£250.00

Twenty Four Fables of Aesop and Other Eminent Mythologists, Aesop — 1st Ed

Name: Twenty Four Fables of Aesop and Other Eminent Mythologists, Aesop — 1st Ed
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 5856
Price: 250.00 GBP
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Publication: London, Ernest Benn Limited, 1928

Formatting: 4to, pp. 52.

Condition Report: Near Fine. The publisher’s original blue cloth binding remains exceptionally sharp, with the elaborate gilt foliate borders and spine titling remarkably bright and unoxidised. The boards are tight and square, showing only the faintest whisper of shelf-wear to the extremities. Internally, the volume is remarkably clean and fresh; the text block is firm, and the pages are entirely free from the foxing often found in titles of this period, preserving the crispness of the Alcuin Press typography and the depth of Gheeraerts’s etchings. The rare original dust wrapper has survived well, though it displays characteristic even tanning and minor dust-soiling across the panels, alongside some slight creasing and nibbling to the fragile edges. Unclipped and highly presentable, it remains a robust example.

Catalogue Note: A highly attractive 1928 edition of Aesop's fables, presenting twenty-four classic tales translated by the influential seventeenth-century journalist and pamphleteer Sir Roger L'Estrange. L'Estrange's translation, noted for its vernacular vigour and colloquial charm, was originally published in 1692.

Here, it is brilliantly paired with the celebrated illustrations of Marcus Gheeraerts the Elder. Gheeraerts's etchings, first published in 1567, are considered masterpieces of early Netherlandish printmaking, noted for their exquisite rendering of flora, fauna, and contemporary domestic details.

This edition is notable for its handsome production values. The text was beautifully set and printed by the Alcuin Press of Chipping Campden, a prominent Private Press of the era, while the illustrations were delicately reproduced by the Collographic Art Printers. Copies retaining the original dust wrapper, which promotes Ernest Benn's other 'Gift Books' (including William Blake facsimiles) on the rear panel, are notably scarce in commerce.

This elegant 1928 production revitalises twenty-four of Aesop's most enduring fables, pairing the earthy, vigorous seventeenth-century prose of Sir Roger L'Estrange with the masterful, intricate etchings of Marcus Gheeraerts the Elder. Printed with typographical excellence by the Alcuin Press, it offers a sophisticated, timeless reading experience where classic moral instruction meets the height of early modern book illustration.

Book Condition: Near Fine

Book Authors: Aesop

Book Publisher: Ernest Benn Limited

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Antiquarian

Genre: Classic Fiction

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages: 52

Book Publication Year: 1928

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Hardcover

Illustrator: Marcus Gheeraerts the Elder

Book Series: N/A

Country/region of manufacture: London, United Kingdom

Book Dimensions:

Book Condition Guide

We stock thousands of books in a wide range of conditions. To make things clear and to help you know exactly what to expect, Please refer to these condition categories to understand the condition of the book you will receive.

Condition	Description
New	A brand-new, unread and professionally handled book. Carefully preserved from publication to purchase, these books are offered in the best attainable condition. This grade applies to recently published titles that have not entered long-term storage.
As New	The book is in pristine, original condition as if just published. No signs of use or handling. The dust jacket (if present) is equally flawless. This grade applies to any book that has remained untouched in storage for years.
Fine	The book is close to As New. It remains bright and attractive, but could show minor imperfections to the boards and/or dust jacket (if present). Its pages are typically clean and unmarked.
Near Fine	The book has a number of small flaws, i.e. slight rubbing to the edges, or tiny chips or creases to the dust jacket (if present). Its pages may have faint marks, or creases that are barely perceptible — nothing that detracts from their overall condition.
Very Good	The book maintains its structural integrity, and has no major flaws such as tears to its binding or pages. It may, however, show signs of careful use, handling, or storage — small marks and creases, light foxing. Its dust jacket (if present) remains fully intact, but small tears may be present.
Good	A book that remains intact and readable with complete text pages, but shows moderate signs of wear and use to both the book and dust jacket (if present). It may have noticeable creases, nicks, or stains, and the spine likely shows fading, bumping, and rubbing. There could be writing, underlining, and other marks on some pages, though the majority will be clean and tidy.
Fair	A book with significant wear or damage. The text pages will be complete, but there may be heavy underlining, highlighting and staining throughout, and the book’s endpapers, half-title, and copyright pages could be damaged or missing. The binding could be loose, and the dust jacket (if present) may have notable scuffs or tears. These copies are usually of interest for content, signature(s) or scarcity.
Poor	A heavily worn book whose value lies in its complete and legible text. A poor book will have substantial defects — loose joints or hinges, detached covers, loose and/or missing pages, and could be heavily soiled. A poor book is also known as a reading copy, and although compromised, can hold historical or bibliographic significance.