LA FONTAINE, Jean de.- Fables choisies, mises en vers.- A Paris: De l’Imprimerie de Valade, et se trouve Chez Belin, 1783.- 2 vols.: 1 front. alegórico, 275 gravuras; 39 cm.- E. Monumental edition, considered one of the most beautiful of the 18th century, containing 235 fables by La Fontaine (1621-1695), illustrated with 275 copperplate prints, opened on copper plate by the best engravers of the time (Cochin [père et fils], Aliamet, Radigues, Aubert, Aveline, etc.), according to originals by Jean-Baptiste Oudry (1686-1755). The first volume also includes an allegorical frontispiece (with explanation on the last page of volume II). The collation of each of the volumes is as follows: I - [4], XLVIII, 164 p.: 1 front., 138 engraving.; II - [4], IV, 252 p.: 137 engraving. Slightly cropped specimen with slight browning, but overall clean and with good margins. Armorial ex-libris of Earl of Cromer (dated 1912), on both volumes and small circular stamp on free endpapers: Melchet Court - Romsey. Contemporary, or slightly later, full sheepskin bindings, with triple mitered fillet on the covers, gold closed panels on the spines, roll on the square and gilt edges. Preserves the original marbled paper endpapers. Rochambeau, 124. Cohen, 301 (for the Dessaint et Saillant edition, 1755-59, with the same engravings).