Fables of Aesop

Quarto. [vi], 124, [4]. 10" x 7.5" AESOP IN LINES Wire-like, Alexander Calder's line drawings adorn this fine press edition of Aesop's Fables, embodying the use of space and motion Calder would eventually be renowned for in his sculptural work. The contrast between Sir Roger L'Estrange's classic 1692 translation and Calder's avant-garde illustrations captures heiress Barbara Wescott and printer Monroe Wheeler's goal with Harrison of Paris: to build a publishing house that exemplified 1930s modernism while highlighting the artisanal craftsmanship of the 20s. Printed on handmade paper, this copy retains its publisher's paper knife and chemise. Limited to 595 copies, of which this is 317. Gentle wear corners and tips, very slightly toned extremities, owner bookplate to half title with browning to surrounding pages, lightly foxed throughout, still near fine, in good only chemise lacking back strip and title label, lacking publisher's slipcase. Overall a tight and square copy. Publisher's light blue paper-covered boards, illustratively stamped in navy blue, in publisher's chemise, lacking publisher's slipcase.…