1890? 1 brass three-piece button of the Goat on a Cliff, 5/8" in diameter. Acquired during summer, '99.
The goat (or stag?) stands perched on a rock. There seems to be no other figure in the picture. He faces stalks or limbs of trees. Behind him seem to be further rocks. A braided sheath pattern runs around the perimeter of this brass button.
1890? 1 brass three-piece button of the Lion in a Lush Valley, 5/8" in diameter. Gift of Robin Larner, Rochester, NY, through Ebay, May, '99.
The goat seems not to be pictured, instead there is a crag that sticks out almost directly above the lion who wants to beckon him down to the lush valley. BBB shows an apparently larger button with almost the same image on Plate 152 #7. Do I pick up some tint in this brass? The button may even have four pieces, since a very pleasant shiny rim encircles the whole scene and may be independent of the button's facing.
1930? 7" white plate from Sarreguemines, France. Inside a 1.5" rim there is an adaptation of Grandville's LM (II 11). The front carries two inscriptions: "Fables de la Fontaine" and "12. Le Lion et le Rat." The back has a "Digoin/ Sarreguemines/France" stamp. $9 from Take a Second Look, Inc., Cuddebackville, NY, through Ebay, June, '99.
The basic motif from Grandville, including the pose of the three main figures (attending monkey, Lion, and rat) remains the same, but the surroundings are drastically changed, down to giving the monkey a jungle hat. This is another well defined image. This stamp helps one to read the stamp on the other two brown plates.d
1970? Movable Valentine greeting card featuring "The Fable of the Lion and the Mouse." 4" x 7½". Made in U.S.A. $5.50 "laustin1" on Ebay, Feb., '02.
The lion moves his head back and forth and says "Hi! I'd be so G-r-r-grateful if you'd be my Valentine." In the meantime, the mouse gnaws on his rope.
1920? Tall cup almost 3" in diameter and 3¾" high. Title "The Lion & The Mouse" above the hand-painted colored illustration, and "Those Who Do Not Abuse Their Strength/Benefit By The Gratitude Of The Weak" below. Gold trim around the top ring and along the front of the handle. Aesop's Fables Series. Royal Winton, Grimwades. Made in England. $5.50 from Bidwell, Castro Valley, CA, through eBay, August, '04.
The back of this cup has a lovely pattern of scrolls, branches, and leaves. The depiction of LM is consistent with other members of this series.
1920? Short cup 2¾" in diameter and 2¾" high. Title "The Lion & The Mouse" above the colored illustration, and "Those Who Do Not Abuse Their Strength/Benefit By The Gratitude Of The Weak" below. Gold trim around the top ring and along the front of the handle. Royal Winton, Grimwades. Made in England.
This cup includes the same elements as the taller cup, but has to work them into a smaller space. There is, for example, on the back of this cup again a lovely pattern of scrolls, branches, and leaves. The depiction of LM is again consistent with other members of this series.
1920? Hand-painted bowl 6¾" in diameter and 1¾" deep. Title "The Lion & The Mouse" above the hand-painted colored illustration, and "Those Who Do Not Abuse Their Strength/Benefit By The Gratitude Of The Weak" below. Gold trim around the inside and outside edges of the top ring. Aesop's Fables Series. Royal Winton, Grimwades. Made in England. $39.99 from Lisa Levy, Roslyn, NY, through Ebay, April, '99.
There are several black smudges around the inside edge, which the seller says come from the factory. The colored picture of LM inside the bowl is lovely, with purple mountains in the background and pastels around the foreground.
2020 LM greeting card. Copyright Phoebe Goodchild 2020. Quincy prints. $3.92 through Etsy, Nov., '24.
The image on its own tells a tale of friendship in the midst of the natural world. There is no smiling here, but there is peaceful coexistence.
