1886 Le Courrier Français, July 18, 1886: La Cigale. $10 from journauxanciens through Ebay, Feb., '24.
This drypoint by Norbert Goeneutte strikes me as unusual in this respect: it has no other reference. Are we to think of La Fontaine? Are we to have a particular attitude to this decked-out chanteuse? I look in vain for a nearby poem or another further reference to help. Page 4 of the 8-page magazine, 11½" x 15¼".
1980? Laugh Parade by Bill Hoest. "Aesop… Are you telling me another fable?" Unknown source and publication.
An attractive mother dressed in ancient style stands before some obviously Greek buildings and asks a downcast little fellow this question.
1890? A large FG button, 1.4" in diameter. Unknown source.
This large button varies the details of the usual FG pattern. Notice the single railing rather than two parallel railings on the fence. This fox has his left paw raised to make an attempt at the grape. In a similar vein, his right rear paw is already climbing.
1987 Large FDC envelope with all eight stamps and a large illustration of Aesop and the animals of these eight stamps' fables. 7" x 10¼". Unknown source.
Here is a colorful presentation of the whole series of stamps cancelled in Athens March 5, 1987. Mint condition. Somewhat surprisingly, the Greek "Mythoi tou Aisopou" is translated here into German.
1885? Large Children's Scrap Book Album with FC cover.
So far, I have found one large (11¼" x 14") scrap book album with a golden, grape, and black cover depicting FC. It came with some nice old scraps inside. $25 from Tim Smith, Clinton, MA, through eBay, Sept., '00. Click on this smaller image to see a larger image.
1935? 10 numbered cards out of a series of 48 offering fables of La Fontaine. 2½" x 3¾". Imp. Landouzy Frères Lambersart. Gift of Francoise Camillas, August, '15. 46 of the 48 cards (missing only #46 and #48) for €20 from aubenouvelle through Ebay, July, '21.
These cards have large and lively blocks of color. Each card has a clear title at its base in white against a red background. In one of the four corners of the image is the card number. The verso has a title, a verse text, and "Imp. Landouzy Frères Lambersart." The "9" on UP is printed backwards. Not all printers get everything right!
1935? Laines du Marin ("Sailor Wool"). Complete set of twelve colored postcards using La Fontaine's fables to advertise this brand of wool. $100 from Bertrand Cocq, Calonne Ricouart, France, Sept., '20. Duplicate of TH for €5 from Akpool, Berlin, June, '20.
Visually attractive and witty cards offering alternative versions of each fable if only "Laines du Marin" had been involved.
2016? Postcard of cover of Ladybird A second book of Aesop’s Fables. One of set of six. $3.99 for the set, March, ’18.
The print of this great cover is excellent on the postcard. The fox looks with chagrin down the vase that he can nothing with. Why might they have chosen the second book and not the first?
1840? La Vieille et les Deux Servantes. Broadside. 10.5” x 15.5.” Imagerie Nouvelle. $34.45 from Donald Heald, Sept. 20, '02. Extra copy for perhaps €10, perhaps at St.-Ouen, July, '19.
This broadside features a fable by Jean de la Fontaine titled “La Vielle et les Deux Servantes.” The poster has twelve scenes drawn out in ink and then printed on the paper along with captions describing the images. All of the captioning and words are written in French.
1980? La Tapisserie de Bayeux. Edition Ville de Bayeux. Originally 50 F in France. Bought for $10 at Paul Rohe and Son, Chicago, Dec., '92. A complete reproduction of the Bayeux Tapestry in one-seventh of its original size. The original is 70 meters long and 50 centimeters high. I was delighted to find it still available three months after I had first seen it in this shop. The owner had at first insisted that I also buy The Bayeux Tapestry (which I already had for $29.95) for a combined price of $85. The chief value of this reproduction is that it is continuous--by my calculations some 28 feet long. Use this excellent reproduction with The Bayeux Tapestry (1985) and Les fables antiques de la broderie de Bayeux (1964).
