Aesop. Fables of Aesop and others, Newly done into English, [translated by Samuel Croxall], first Croxall edition, engraved frontispiece by G.van der Gucht, title in red & black, engraved coat-oaf-arms to dedication, woodcut initials, ornaments and 196 illustrations by Elisha Kirkall, text lightly browned, contemporary ink inscription "Robt. Raymond Eqr. 1725" to front free endpaper and with his engraved bookplate, contemporary calf with double gilt fillet and small thistle ornaments to corners, spine gilt, rubbed, head of spine worn, lacking most of label, corners bumped, preserved in modern cloth drop-back box, 8vo, for J.Tonson...& J.Watts, 1722.

⁂ A fine copy of the scarce first edition of Croxall's translation of Aesop which became the standard translation and immensely popular. It appeared in at least 47 editions prior to 1865 and the charming woodcuts inspired many later illustrators including Thomas Bewick nearly a century later, who adopted the oval in rectangle format for his own compositions. Rare at auction.

Robert Raymond (1717-56), 2nd Baron of Abbots Langley.