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The Fables are an ancient Greek collection of moral stories told by animals, believed to have been authored by the storyteller Aesop. Despite being the first of their kind, they were profoundly influential in western literature: not only did the Fables circulate uninterruptedly from Antiquity to Modernity, but current definitions of ‘fable’ are still based on Aesop’s work. As their purpose is to educate the audience, the stories revolve around situations that exemplify practical moral teachings. While the narratives are simple, they present metaphors and transformations that realistically portray everyday life and emotions.

The Fables’ popularity ensured that they were among the first texts to be printed. This edition is the first one in English translation, and also provides a short biography of Aesop. Its printer, William Caxton, translated the text himself, although not from the original Greek but from the Latin translation by the Italian scholar Rinuccio d’Arezzo, completed only a few decades prior in 1448. It was one of Caxton’s first productions with a large quantity of woodcuts and illustrations.

As its first printer, Caxton is an important figure in the cultural history of England. He established his printing press in Westminster in 1476, after learning how to use this new technology on the continent. In origin, Caxton had established himself in business and served as governor to the Merchant Adventurers of London, which traded in textiles to Europe. For a time, he settled in Bruges, when he also entered the service of Margaret of York, Duchess of Burgundy -- sister to kings Edward IV and Richard III of England. It was while serving the Duchess that Caxton travelled to Cologne where he observed the products of the printing press.

A facsimile edition of the Royal Library copy was published by the Scolar Press in 1976.

Binding description

Eighteenth-century straw-grained red goatskin. Laced-on boards; covers decorated with gilt tools, 3-tier roll borders, and pre-1801 Hanoverian Royal Arms as centrepiece, with crown and George III’s monogram above. Spine decorated with lozenges and corner-pieces. Gilt edges.