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Antique the Fables Book, Historic Literature, English, Illustrated, Victorian
Sold by London Fine Antiques
sold SA1139876
Sorry, but this item has been sold.
London Fine Antiques

London Fine Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Oct 2010
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Id #SA1139876
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Antique the Fables Book, Historic Literature, English, Illustrated, Victorian

19th century
Sold 21 June 2026 · London Fine Antiques
This “Antique the Fables Book, Historic Literature, English, Illustrated, Victorian” found a buyer.

It was listed by London Fine Antiques. Sold pieces stay on Sellingantiques as a record of what has passed through, and the next one is rarely far away.

Description

This is a superb antique edition of 'The Fables' by Jean de La Fontaine, translated into English verse by Walter Thornbury and illustrated throughout by Gustave Doré. A fine, intact circa 1870 Victorian copy with charming light markings, encapsulating the enduring appeal of this celebrated literary classic.

Bound and illustrated compendium, presenting the much-loved fables in English translation

Masterfully illustrated by renowned 19th century artist Gustave Doré, whose detailed engravings elevate each story

Original binding, with pleasing signs of gentle use, adding to the book’s period charm

Clean and bright pages with occasional light markings consistent with careful handling

Faithful English translation by Walter Thornbury (1828–1876), preserving the wit and wisdom of La Fontaine's originals

A delightful collection of morality tales, animal allegories, and timeless social commentary

An excellent addition to any literary, illustrative, or Victorian library collection

Ideal for admirers of classic literature, fine illustration, and 19th century bookbinding craftsmanship

This is a striking and scholarly volume, perfect for enhancing any country house study or bibliophile’s collection. Delivered ready to enjoy.

Dimensions:

Max Width: 25.5cm (10'')

Max Depth: 6.5cm (2.5'')

Max Height: 31cm (12.25'')

Date of Manufacture

London Fine Antiques has dated this Antique Illustrated Book to the Victorian era.

Physical Dimensions
Height
31cm (12.20")
Width
25.5cm (10.04")
Depth
6.5cm (2.56")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1139876
Dealers Internal Reference
25269
Dealers Notes

What our clients have to say: https://www.londonfine.co.uk/pages/reviews

Description
This is a superb antique edition of 'The Fables' by Jean de La Fontaine, translated into English verse by Walter Thornbury and illustrated throughout by Gustave Doré.
“
A fine, intact circa 1870 Victorian copy with charming light markings, encapsulating the enduring appeal of this celebrated literary classic.
London Fine Antiques
fig 1. An upright antique hardcover book with a purple cloth cover featuring intricate gold embossed illustrations and lettering.
fig 1. Antique the Fables Book, Historic Literature, English, Illustrated, Victorian

Bound and illustrated compendium, presenting the much-loved fables in English translation

Masterfully illustrated by renowned 19th century artist Gustave Doré, whose detailed engravings elevate each story

fig 2. An upright antique hardcover book with a purple cloth cover featuring intricate gold embossed illustrations and lettering.
fig 2. Antique the Fables Book, Historic Literature, English, Illustrated, Victorian

Original binding, with pleasing signs of gentle use, adding to the book’s period charm

Clean and bright pages with occasional light markings consistent with careful handling

Faithful English translation by Walter Thornbury (1828–1876), preserving the wit and wisdom of La Fontaine's originals

fig 3. An upright antique hardcover book with a purple cloth cover featuring intricate gold embossed illustrations and lettering.
fig 3. Antique the Fables Book, Historic Literature, English, Illustrated, Victorian

A delightful collection of morality tales, animal allegories, and timeless social commentary

An excellent addition to any literary, illustrative, or Victorian library collection

Ideal for admirers of classic literature, fine illustration, and 19th century bookbinding craftsmanship

fig 4. An upright antique hardcover book with a purple cloth cover featuring intricate gold embossed illustrations and lettering.
fig 4. Antique the Fables Book, Historic Literature, English, Illustrated, Victorian

This is a striking and scholarly volume, perfect for enhancing any country house study or bibliophile’s collection. Delivered ready to enjoy.

Dimensions:

Max Width: 25.5cm (10'')

Max Depth: 6.5cm (2.5'')

Max Height: 31cm (12.25'')

Date of Manufacture

London Fine Antiques has dated this Antique Illustrated Book to the Victorian era.

Height
31cm (12.20")
Width
25.5cm (10.04")
Depth
6.5cm (2.56")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1139876
Dealers Internal Ref
25269
London Fine Antiques
London Fine Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Oct 2010

Fine antiques curated in england and sold worldwide

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the London Fine Antiques Profile Page

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An upright antique hardcover book with a purple cloth cover featuring intricate gold embossed illustrations and lettering. SOLD21 JUN 26
1 / 12
Archive I An upright antique hardcover book with a purple cloth cover featuring intricate gold embossed illustrations and lettering. SOLD21 JUN 26

Antique the Fables Book, Historic Literature, English, Illustrated, Victorian

Archive II An upright antique hardcover book with a purple cloth cover featuring intricate gold embossed illustrations and lettering. View II
Archive III An upright antique hardcover book with a purple cloth cover featuring intricate gold embossed illustrations and lettering. View III
Archive IV An upright antique hardcover book with a purple cloth cover featuring intricate gold embossed illustrations and lettering. View IV
Archive V An upright antique hardcover book with a purple cloth cover featuring intricate gold embossed illustrations and lettering. View V
Archive VI An upright antique hardcover book with a purple cloth cover featuring intricate gold embossed illustrations and lettering. View VI
Archive VII An upright antique hardcover book with a purple cloth cover featuring intricate gold embossed illustrations and lettering. View VII
Archive VIII An upright antique hardcover book with a purple cloth cover featuring intricate gold embossed illustrations and lettering. View VIII
Archive IX An upright antique hardcover book with a purple cloth cover featuring intricate gold embossed illustrations and lettering. View IX
Archive X An upright antique hardcover book with a purple cloth cover featuring intricate gold embossed illustrations and lettering. View X
Archive XI An upright antique hardcover book with a purple cloth cover featuring intricate gold embossed illustrations and lettering. View XI
Archive XII An upright antique hardcover book with a purple cloth cover featuring intricate gold embossed illustrations and lettering. View XII
Enlarged Archival View
Telephone 0207 1833511
Location
The Antique Village
Hele
Exeter
Devon
EX5 4PW
United Kingdom
Verified Since Oct 2010
Items For Sale 948
Items Sold 5,668
London Fine Antiques
London Fine Antiques
Verified Since Oct 2010
View Dealer Info
Location: The Antique Village, Hele, Exeter, Devon , EX5 4PW, United Kingdom
Verified
Oct 2010
For Sale
948
Sold
5,668
An upright antique hardcover book with a purple cloth cover featuring intricate gold embossed illustrations and lettering.
Antique The Fables Book, Historic Literature, English, Illustrated, Victorian
Ref: SA1139876
An upright antique hardcover book with a purple cloth cover featuring intricate gold embossed illustrations and lettering.
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Archival Detail
Every single antique dealer on our platform is individually approved by our internal team. We verify their professional trade history, ethical standards, and photographic quality to ensure a secure, high-standard buying environment. Upon joining, every dealer agrees to a strict 9-point code of conduct. While issues can occasionally arise, our dealers typically resolve them swiftly and directly with the buyer. In fact, since our founding in 2002, Sellingantiques has only had to step in to help resolve an issue on roughly five occasions—a true testament to the quality of our dealers and their dedication to your happiness.
Our dealers are highly experienced in packing and shipping fragile, high-value antiques. Because you are in direct contact with the dealer, you will be able to easily go through all available shipping and insurance options together to ensure your item arrives safely.
Antiques are the ultimate green purchase. By choosing historical pieces over newly manufactured goods, you completely eliminate the carbon footprint of modern mass production while preserving exceptional, timeless craftsmanship.
Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectBooks
  • Period19th century
  • StyleVictorian & Gothic
  • MaterialCloth, Paper, Gold Leaf
  • ColourPurple
  • MotifsGilt embossing, Embossed cloth boards, Decorative spine bands
  • SizeH 31 cm (12 in) x W 25.5 cm (10 in) x D 6.5 cm (3 in)

Victorian books are characterised by elaborate cloth bindings, intricate gilt stamping on the covers and spines, and often feature detailed woodcut or steel-engraved illustrations by prominent artists of the period.

Preservation requires storing books away from direct sunlight and excessive humidity to prevent paper degradation, handling them with clean hands, and avoiding the use of pressure-sensitive tapes on damaged bindings.

Antique volumes add texture, historic character, and intellectual depth when displayed stacked horizontally on coffee tables, arranged by colour on bookshelves, or placed on a desk within a study.

Authentic period books can be identified by the typography of the era, publisher details on the title page, the presence of original tissue guards protecting the engravings, and natural ageing characteristics of the paper and binding.

These volumes typically utilised woven cloth or leather for the exterior bindings, paper boards for the structural covers, rag paper for the internal pages, and applied gold leaf for lettering and decorative embossing.
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