Aesop, 1750 (E1v)

Although it looks as if it would have been printed earlier, this style of Gothic type and simple woodcuts is characteristic of cheap Dutch printing throughout the 18th century.

Caxton, Aesop, 1484 (fol. 38r)

This version of Aesop’s Fables is the first ever to have been printed in English. Caxton translated from Julien Macho's 1482 French edition and replicated Jehan Rousset's woodcuts from that edition as well.

Ogilby, Aesop, 1668 (pg. 47)

Ogilby's version of Aesop's Fables uses the margins for extensive annotations.

Ogilby, Aesop, 1668 (pl. 18)

Some previous owner has colored in the illustration corresponding to the fable of the Hound and his Master. Perhaps this story was a favorite––no other print in the book was treated to full color.

Patousas, Aesop, 1644 (sig. L4v)

A woodcut illustrating Aesop's fable of the fox and the crow, which in this book is printed to face the illustration (you can see the text here).

Patousas, Aesop, 1644 (sig. L5r)

A modern Greek translation of Aesop's fable of the fox and the crow; there is an accompanying illustration on the facing page

Philipott, Aesop, 1666 (sig. 2Q2r)

This bilingual edition privileges the Latin text with the majority of page space, but presents the English version in rhyming verse. Along with the intricate engraving, the different modes may have made this book appealing to people of varying levels of schooling.

Rinuccio, Aesop, 1521 (sig. c7r)

A unique feature of this text is how the morals are isolated in the margins next to their respective fables. The use of the manicules and banners serves to emphasize the lofty values they impart.