1773 ❧ DORAT, CLAUDE-JOSEPH (1734-1780). Fables Nouvelles. La Haye [The Hague] et se trouve à Paris: Chez Delalain, 1773. 2 volumes bound in one, 8vo (210 x 132 mm). Text block printed on median French paper watermarked Auvergne, preserving the corrected pagination sequence on page xxii. With an engraved frontispiece and an engraved title-page to the first volume, a single impression of the repeated allegorical engraving separating the textual blocks, and 99 pairs of highly detailed headpiece vignettes and tailpieces designed by Clément-Pierre Marillier and engraved by de Ghendt, de Launay, Ponce, and others. The fine engravings are present in early proof states, pulled independently on thin proof paper and tipped onto the sturdier text leaves. A few very discrete repairs at extreme margins. Contemporary full crimson morocco by Joly Fils (signed in gold at the base of the front turn-in). The covers are completely covered in an extraordinary, dense mosaic diaper pattern composed of alternating inlaid dark-blue and tan morocco lozenges, framed by fine concentric gilt lines and interspersed with minute, bright gold-leaf pointillé stippling. Spine in six compartments similarly decorated with geometric gold-tooling and inlaid dark leather accents, second compartment holding a matching red morocco lettering piece, doublures emerald-green crushed levant morocco, framed by a multi-line gilt frame and intricate, fan-shaped Rococo floral cornerpieces stamped in gold leaf. The Linings feature heavy, vibrant orange-gold watered silk flyleaves bordered by delicate gilt chain rolls. Marbled flyleaves, edges gilt over uncut margins. FIRST EDITION, second issue, a magnificent copy in a spectacular mosaic binding by Joly Fils, featuring the fine copper-engravings in early proof states tipped onto separate paper stock. Claude-Joseph Dorat's Fables Nouvelles is universally recognized alongside La Fontaine's Contes of 1762 as one of the twin peaks of 18th-century French illustrated literature. The designer Clément-Pierre Marillier spent years composing the intricate, ultra-detailed vignettes, which were subsequently carved by the finest master engravers of the pre-Revolutionary era. While trade copies were commonly issued on standard small paper (petit papier), this highly customized copy represents a deluxe configuration. Printed on resilient median French paper watermarked Auvergne, it features the illustrations in their rarest, earliest proof states, which were pulled independently by the engraver on thin sheets to achieve maximum clarity and then skillfully mounted into the text gathering. The primary marvel of this specific copy is its extraordinary mosaic binding by Antoine Joly (Joly Fils). Working in Paris during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Joly achieved worldwide renown for his hyper-precise, symmetrical geometric tooling. As noted by a scholarly pencil inscription on the slipsheet, this specific diaper-pattern design was almost certainly executed utilizing the foundational stamps and layouts derived from the historic Thibaron-Joly workshop alliance (1870-1885), making it a spectacular homage to the golden age of French master gilding and a premier centerpiece for any collection of fine bindings. Cohen-de Ricci 313-316; Ray, French, 43; Fürstenberg 69; Rochambeau, Fables, p. 520. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing