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The Washington Antiquarian Book Fair will celebrate its 35th Anniversary with a special exhibition of many editions of the famous fables of Aesop. Everyone has heard of many of Aesop’s Fables but not many know the actual story of this African story teller who lived some 2,500 years ago. The unwritten stories of this black slave have enchanted generations and have encouraged many artists’ interpretations. This exhibition of Aesop’s Fables covers over  500 years of these artists’ interpretations. The display consists of many rare First Editions of these books. Of special interest are Wenzel Hollar’s rare 1665  illustrated folio volume containing 82 copper engraving. This volume is extremely rare in that it survived the London fire of 1666 that destroyed over 13,000 houses and 89 churches in London, and is in its original binding. Of special interest is Hollar’s interpretation, as well as many other artists, of the Lion and the Mouse fable. Also, the exhibit includes many rare early woodcuts by Norwalk artist Antonio Frasconi for many of the fables. Other artists represented in the exhibit are: Thomas Bewick, John Tenniel, Robert Lawson, Arthus Rackham, Bosris Artzybasheff, J.J.Grandville, Percy Billingshurst, Alexander Calder, Milo Winter, Walter Crane and many others. The display includes many interesting items from the large Wenzel Hollar volume to a miniature leather bound illustrated book of Aesop’s Fables measuring just one inch.

The art, books and ephemera are from the private collection of Gil and Kathleen Rodriguez, Gilann Books, of Darien, Connecticut.