1834? Matted, framed in glass illustration of La Fontaine's "The Fox and the Monkey," apparently by Emile Joseph Alexandre Gouget. 10.5" x 8.75". Unknown source.
Here is a fifth form in which I find Gouget's work. In this case, someone has apparently separated Gouget's illustration and hand colored it effectively. The text that would have occupied the lower half of Gouget's page here becomes the verso, enhanced by the swirls that mark his fable work. The illustration finds the monkey at the "before" in this fable, where he seizes the crown. Soon he will be caught in shame in a simple trap and lose his claim to be king. Foxes do that sort of thing! The framing work was done by Romain Barillier in Paris.
1988 Framed Xerox copy of Francisco del Tuppo's illustration for "Animals Paying Last Respects to King Lion." Gift of Rev. Michael Zeps, S.J., July, '88.
This is an object where fable-collecting connects with other big things in my life. One of those things that I have done less well than others is to serve as a superior in several Jesuit communities. The object here is a framed Xerox copy of Francesco del Tuppo's 1485 image of the animals attacking the sick old lion. They are, one after another, paying him back for his heavy-handed rule over them. They can do so now that he is weak and in his last days. The lion understands it from others but is particularly insulted by being humiliated by the donkey. My good friend Fr. Mike Zeps, S.J., was charged with giving a farewell speech as I finished a difficult stint as a Jesuit superior -- difficult for me, and probably even more difficult for many of the Jesuits there. To offer a gift fit for its recipient, Mike actually went to the public library and found Taplinger's "The Life and Fables of Aesop" with del Tuppo's illustrations and chose this image of "saying good-bye." Mike knew my taste well enough that I would enjoy the wit of the selection. Notice that the donkey is not only kicking the lion in the mouth. He is also expressing himself with another bodily reaction. Fable can bring wit and even a kind of consolation to a tough moment!
1860? Framed Tile of WC. Stoke on Trent: Minton Hollins & C Patent Tile Works. Unknown source.
This rendition of Samuel Howitt's WC from 1811 is very dark. The tile is loose in the frame. It was fascinating to piece together the printing on the "waffle" back of the tile. I am surprised that we have not yet found other such Minton tiles.
1991 Framed Japanese Postage Stamp with Moral. "When we all work together, we all win together." 4" x 3.25". Unknown source.
Now here is a curious find, given or found perhaps years ago. It is a genuine Japanese stamp of which I had not know previously. I promptly bought a copy! It is framed with a moral, perhaps a creative moral for this fable. Its back has this legend: "Magnet Postage Stamp Art," "Handcrafted," "Genuine postage stamp." There is also a company name with an online address. Both seem to have disappeared. The magnetic strip on the verso may not be (any longer) strong, but I presume that that is the "magnetic" feature. The stamp is listed as "JAPAN Sc#Z113 1991 Kunma." I continue to be amazed not only at what we find but what we have found!
2000? Framed FG original painting. Kai. 296/500. 4" square. Gift of Margaret Carlson Lytton from the Libreary of Congress Gift Shop.
Beautiful, delicate work! The image is about 1.5" square. This fox seems quite self-possessed. And those grapes seem so close! Is this the same Kai that is on Etsy and Markowicz these days? I am disappointed that, although there were 500 copies of this work, none of the others show up on the web.
1986 Fox holding grapes. 3¼" high. Pat Lane Diaz, Wausau, WI. West Allis Craft Fair.
Here is a little mastepiece! This is perhaps the only time that I have seen the fox holding the grapes. Did he perhaps go out and buy them?
