John Gay Biography and the Fables
London and New York: Frederick Warne Ltd. 1923, 1st thus, edition limited to 250 copies for London and New York of which this is #84; olive green buckram with gilt titles, borders, and filled pattern, top edge gilt, deckle edged, laid paper; with 68 pasted in plates with stamped borders, wood engravings from the drawings of William Harvey, 8vo; 313 pp. including 51 pp biography and a chronological list of publications of Gay's fables. Juvenile hardback.
John Gay (1685 - 1732), the author of The Beggar's Opera, wrote these original fables near the end of his life. Cynical and political, as well as interesting, they appeal to all ages. They became an English children's classic. From The Elephant and the Bookseller "For when we risk no contradiction,/It prompts the tongue to deal in fiction./ Those things that startle me or you,/I grant are strange yet still are true./ Who doubts that Elephants are found/for science and for sense renowned?
CONDITION: Very Good Plus; bright, straight, tight, boards and pages immaculate; bottom corners lightly bumped with slight rubs, light spotting on gilt top edge. Item #20260
Price: $145.00