(BESTIARIES). (REYNARD THE FOX).

THE MOST DELECTABLE HISTORY OF REYNARD THE FOX . . . TO WHICH MAY NOW BE ADDED A SECOND PART OF THE SAID HISTORY: AS ALSO THE SHIFTS OF REYNARDINE, THE SON OF REYNARD.

(London: Printed by T. Ilive, for Edward Brewster; Printed by A. M. and R. R. for Brewster; Printed by T. J. for Brewster and Thomas Passenger, 1701-1681-84). 191 x 146 mm (7 1/2 x 5 3/4"). [160], [112] pp.; 4 p.l., 160 pp. Three parts in one volume. FIRST EDITION of "The Shifts of Reynardine."

Excellent retrospective Cambridge-style dark red morocco by Courtland Benson, covers with concentric frames composed of antique tools, with floral sprays emanating from the corners, raised bands, spines attractively gilt in compartments with scrolling cornerpieces and large central fleuron, marbled endpapers, all edges gilt. Text WITH 77 LIVELY AND CHARMINGLY NAÏVE WOODCUT ILLUSTRATIONS, many signed with the initials "E B" (probably the publisher, Edward Brewster), the woodcut on C1 printed upside down (some of the cuts repeated). Ebert 18879; Lowndes III, 2076; Graesse VI, 85; Wing S-3512 for the first two works; Wing S-3436 and Brunet IV, 1228 for "Reynardine." Second half of the book with very faint, very narrow dampstain at lower edge, one and sometimes two inoffensive very small wormholes on most leaves, usually in the bottom margin, but occasionally touching the lowest lines of text, overall light toning to leaves (perhaps because washed at the time of binding?), but internally a pleasing copy nevertheless--especially for this work--the text still rather fresh and extremely smooth and clean, and the sympathetic binding quite handsome and entirely unworn.

Reynard the Fox is the hero of a number of popular fables or "bestiaries," first put into a collected form entitled the "Roman de Renart" in 13th century France. Reynard and his animal friends (typically including, among others, a wolf, lion, cat, cock, and rook) mimic human behavior with all its follies, supplying obvious pleasurable edification to the reader. In a typical tale, the fox represents the man who victimizes others and is brought to judgment, and yet escapes punishment through the use of his cunning. A Flemish version of "Reynard," now lost, was translated and printed by Caxton in 1481. Our copy contains a version of Reynard first printed by Edward Alde in 1620, a Second Part first printed in 1672 (attributed by Wing to one John Shirley), and a continuation, of which this is the first edition of 1684, recounting the adventures of Reynard's equally pesky son Reynardine. This third part is believed to have been written by the publisher Edward Brewster himself. It is possible that our former owner Roscoe Brunner was the magnate of the British chemical industry by that name. He and his wife Ethel died mysteriously at the English country estate of their son-in-law, Prince von Lichtenstein, in 1926. Brunner supposedly shot his wife and then himself, but murder by parties unknown has never been ruled out. Early Reynard editions like this one, because they are cheaply produced and typically subjected to severe handling, are notoriously difficult to find in agreeable condition. (ST11113)