originally published in 1842 the public and private life of animals is a book of animal centered fables. more than that though it was a vehicle for jj grandville’s renown illustration talents. born Jean Ignace Isidore Gérard, gradville began his career as a ferocious political cartoonist and caricaturist. he fought on the barricades during the revolution of 1830 which dethroned charles x, the last bourban king of the main line. during this period his cartoons appeared in le charivari and le caricature two of the most famous satirical journals of the time. in 1835 the journals he worked for were suppressed by the government of louis-philippe and grandville was forced to find another way of making a living. he chose book illustration and it is in this sphere his fame now rests.

Thank you for the great drawing and the bigger popups! ;-)

“all animals are men more or less disguised and all men are animals more or less in disguise”.

So this is your own copy huh? Oooh…I’m a bit jealous. I’m disappointed the whole thing isn’t online. I see it was issued in 2 volumes (at french ebay).

Damn I’d love to have Grandville’s complete works. I’m coming to the conclusion that he is my favouritest illustrator. The Illustrated Garden have his fleurs animées and Les Métamorphoses du jour (1 or both).

I noticed in passing a comment to the effect that Disney’s legacy isn’t quite as singularly monumental when the antecedents are taken into account. Interesting.

Thanks very much for these!

Very neat. Thank you for those!

Fabulous! I, too, am jealous that you own these wonderful books. How does he manage to render animals-as-people without being mawkish, as others who do the same so often are? I particularly like the scarab-magician under the bridge.

Many thanks.

I have an original copy from the 18-19th cent. Book of the public and private lives of animals by J Granville.  The book is Black cloth and its about 16in by 18in estimated.  I was curious as to how much this would be appraised for.  Thank you very much.
Justin