Jean-Jacques GRANDVILLE and his illustrations of La Fontaine's Fables.

Jean-Jacques GRANDVILLE (1803.1847)

Autograph letter signed to Jules Taschereau.

A page in-4°. Autograph address.

Without place. November 3, 1836

“We are talking about another edition of La Fontaine, which, it is said, is being built with a lot of celebrities, typographic luxury… »

Grandville is worried about rumors concerning a competing edition of Fables that he must illustrate.

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“My dear Mr. Taschereau, It is perhaps indiscreet of me to ask you for news of Lafontaine and to seek to know the reasons which mean that for more than three weeks, I have not had the advantage of see you ?

However, I will not hide from you that certain rumors, certain reports, have come back to me, which could in some way put me on the path: there is talk of another edition of La Fontaine, which, it is said, is being built on a large scale. reinforcement of celebrities, typographic luxury … in short by all the modern means of success. (we are talking about letters decorated by François) ………

If on the one hand, for me, any competition is a desperate, unbearable thing, it is also quite possible that on the other, for you it becomes a material obstacle to the continuation of your business. At least that is the only thing that can give me reason for the silence into which you have remained since our last interview. So, please, my dear Mr. Taschereau, draw me out of the doubt I am in, and remember that I cannot undertake anything without being informed of your latest intentions with regard to the work in question ; I find myself there as a sentinel, weapon in arm, pencil loaded, without being able to fire or disarm. So until then I await your explanations and your command. All yours With consideration and friendship. J. Grandville. »