Interesting 'ESOPS FABLES'

[eagleflyer]

Hi everyone, I have an antique copy of Select Fables of Esop and Other Fabulists. It is leather bound and hand tooled. Published by John Baskerville for R and J Dodsley. Interestingly the hand stamped 'ESOPS' part of the title on the spine has been double spaced to match the length of 'FABLES' underneath but an extra 'O' has been added so it now reads 'ESOOPS'.

 

It was left to me some years ago and while looking at it the other day I suddenly noticed that the first leaf inside the front cover has had a separate sheet of paper stuck over it and under strong light I can make out page of delicate script handwriting underneath.There is a date I can make out 1803 and I think the writing is in French

 

I don't want to damage the leaf by attempting to remove the obscuring sheet although the edges are loose and it is very tempting to try to lift it but I am fascinated to know what the writing says and what it is doing there.

 

Any ideas?? Why would someone write a page and then stick a cover sheet over it to cover it up? Anywhere I could take it for advice?

 

Any help greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks

 

Tim

[Janet]

I think you need to take this to a specialist antique book shop, or maybe to an auction house for advice. I wouldn't try peeling any labels off, no matter how tempting!

 

ETA: There are some of this title on Amazon.

[Purple Poppy]

Sounds fascinating. Let us know what you find out

[eagleflyer]

I need pointing in the right direction to a good antique specialist or auction house in the Warwickshire/Midlands region...

 

...and I promise not to peel any more;)

 

Tim