Aesop; Samuel Croxall — Fables of Aesop; with Instructive Applications

London, T. Allman, [1855]. Cloth. Two pocket sized copies of Samuel Croxall's noted edition of Aesop's fables, one in the original cloth and the other smartly bound by Eric Sweet in gilt cloth, and both housed in a cardboard clamshell casing. A two volume set, featuring one copy in the original cloth, and another bound by Eric Sweet in modern cloth with gilt details, and endpapers and blanks retained. Both housed in the original clamshell casing. One copy bound by Eric Sweet, a keen collector of private press and fables. He studied at the Brighton College of Art, before moving to London to work as a lettering artist and typographer for advertising agencies, later becoming the head of Birmingham School of Printing. Sweet's bindings are unique and striking, reflecting the topics of the volumes in distinctive style.Illustrated with monochrome wood engraved vignettes. Two charming collections of fables credited to Aesop, a Greek storyteller and fabulist whose tales were characterised by the anthropomorphic animal characters. This edition was translated and written by Samuel Croxall, and is notable for its addition of his 'instructions' to the end of each fable, which taught the reader how to apply the lessons of the fables to every day life.Undated, dated by the binder's date to the clamshell and copies held institutionally. The copy bound by Eric Sweet is lacking the original title page, and has been renewed with a facsimile with the original vignette laid down. One volume bound in the original cloth, the other is bound in modern cloth with endpapers and blanks renewed, and both housed in a cardboard clamshell casing. Externally, the original cloth copy is very smart with with minimal bumping and wear to the extremities, and a mark to the front board, and front hinge starting after blanks. The second copy is lovely. Internally the original cloth copy is generally firmly bound with title page tender with a closed tear, pages lightly age toned with occasional light spotting. The second copy is lacking the title page, renewed with facsimile, otherwise firmly bound with generally clean and lightly age toned pages. The clamshell is lovely. Very Good Indeed . Ill.: None stated. Very Good Indeed .