Peter Bichsel   Fine Books

Gellert, Christian Fürchtegott. Fabeln und Erzählungen. Zweyte Auflage. 2 parts in 1 vol.

With 2 engr. title-vignettes and 1 engr. head-piece by Johann Martin Seligmann after Johann Martin Bernigeroth, and with numerous decorative pieces in woodcut. Title, (34), 138, (2) pp.; 5 leaves, 161, (5) pp. 8vo. Contemp. vellum (spotting). – Leipzig, (F. G. Jacobäer for) Johann Wendler, 1748–51.

One of the most popular poetical works in 18th-century Germany. Apart from the present edition, Gellert’s (1715–1769) fables were illustrated by major illustrators of his time such as Johann Heinrich Meil or Daniel Chodowiecki. – Bodemann 125.3; cf. Fabula docet 101 (first ed.) – (Bound with:) The same. Briefe, nebst einer praktischen Abhandlung von dem guten Geschmacke in Briefen. With engr. title- and end-vignettes. (11) leaves, 304 pp. Leipzig, Johann Wendler, 1751. – First edition. – Wilpert/Gühring 15. – Copy of Paul Scherrer-Bylund with his armorial ex-libris, former director of the Zentralbibliothek Zürich. Some browning throughout, spots in parts. – Best.-Nr. 5440