FLORIAN (Jean-Pierre Claris de). Fables choisies illustrées par des artistes japonais sous la direction de P. Barboutau. Paris: Librairie Marpon & Flammarion, [ca. 1895]. - 2 volumes in one in-8, 203x156. Embossed leather paper decorated continuously on the boards and spine with a gilt and colored Japanese decoration composed of compartments of flowers and characters, smooth spine, embossed paper lining and endpapers, gilt head, untrimmed, cover preserved, case (period binding). Beautiful and famous edition, printed in Tokyo on Japanese crepe paper, of this selection of 28 Florian fables, illustrated with numerous compositions, including 30 in color (2 on the covers and 28 on double-page spreads) by three Japanese painters: Tomonobu Kanō (1843-1912), Hanko Kajita (1870-1917) and Tösui Kabuta (1841-1911). A copy of the current in-8 edition, but preserved in a superb period Japanese binding featuring floral motifs and figures. Rubbing to headpieces, cracking to hinges.