Antique 19th-Century Saussine “Jeu des Fables de La Fontaine” – Complete French Lotto Game (c.1880)

A magnificent and very rare 19th-century French lotto game published by Léon Saussine, Paris, inspired by the timeless fables of Jean de La Fontaine.
This deluxe edition features a superb chromolithographed lid illustrated by Ludovic, depicting La Fontaine surrounded by his anthropomorphic characters—fox, donkey, lion, wolf, and more.

Inside, the box reveals 9 beautifully illustrated boards, each showing two fables at the top and eight numbered titles underneath (72 fables total).
The game also includes:

🔹72 small pink cards printed with the morals of each fable
🔹Two original cloth bags
🔹Period colored tokens
🔹Original printed rules (“Instructif. Intéressant. Facile à jouer.”)

The charm of this lotto lies in its educational twist: to win the jackpot, a player must recite the fable corresponding to the drawn moral—turning gameplay into both amusement and culture.

A rare survivor of French toy history, complete, expressive, and richly decorative.

🔹Dimensions: 37.5 × 29 × 4 cm
🔹Condition: Complete. Box shows expected age-related wear, rubbing and edge wear (see photos). Boards and cards are in very good antique condition. Tokens, bags, and printed rules all present—a remarkable find for collectors.

🪶 Collector’s Note

Games by Léon Saussine are among the most sought-after 19th-century French educational games.
Finding a complete “Jeu des Fables de La Fontaine” with all 72 moral cards, two cloth bags, tokens, and intact chromolitho lid is exceptionally rare.
A museum-worthy piece for collectors of antique games, early chromolithographs, or La Fontaine memorabilia.