Aesop; Edward Garrett [ed.] — Aesop&Apos;S Fables

London, Strahan & Co; Alexander Strahan, 1867-1872. Cloth. A charming collection of three illustrated editions of the moral fables of Aesop, all of which feature the illustrations of J. Wolf, J. B. Zwecker and T. Dalziel. A delightful collection of three very scarce illustrated editions of the fables of Aesop, housed in a custom cloth covered clamshell case.The earliest of these three volumes is Edward Garrett's 1867 'New Edition' of these fables, with one-hundred illustrations from J. Wolf, J.B. Zwecker, and T. Dalziel, including a frontispiece. Collated, complete.In the publisher's original cloth binding, and with an advertisement leaf to the rear.The final two volumes are duplicates of the later 1872 edition of the fables, with the same illustrations from J. Wolf, J.B. Zwecker, and T. Dalziel, including a frontispiece. Collated, complete.One of these volumes is in the publisher's cloth, and another in a contemporary half morocco binding, with marbled paper covered boards.With the bookplate of Eric Sweet to the inside of the clamshell. Half morocco binding signed by Mudie. Prize inscription to front free endpaper and title page head of publisher's cloth 1872 volume.Aesop's Fables are a collection of brief moral tales attributed to a storyteller believed to have lived in ancient Greece around the 6th century BCE. These tales typically feature animals as characters who embody human traits and behaviours, teaching practical life lessons through their interactions. Classic fables like "The Tortoise and the Hare," "The Boy Who Cried Wolf," and "The Ant and the Grasshopper" use simple narratives to convey enduring wisdom about virtues such as perseverance, honesty, and hard work. Three volumes - two in the publisher's cloth, and one in contemporary half morocco with marbled paper covered boards - housed in a cloth covered clamshell case. Half morocco binding signed by Mudie. Cloth volumes beautifully bound and exceptionally bright, with a touch of rubbing to back strip tail of half morocco volume. Rear hinge of 1872 cloth, front hinge of 1867 volume, and both hinges of half morocco binding strained, but firmly held. Prize inscription to front free endpaper and title page head of publisher's cloth 1872 volume. Pages a touch age toned, but generally clean and bright. Clamshell in fine condition. Very Good . Ill.: J. Wolf; J. B. Zwecker; T. Dalziel. Very Good .