Calling on the Frenchmen here.

[Sgt.Rocknroll]

I need some translation work. I've had 3 books in my family for a number of years. They are very old and the covers are not in good condition but I saw some like them on Ebay and there selling for around $250.00 a piece depending on the age.

I need someone to translate the inset and tell me if it says how old they are:

[Norval]

its in roman numerals here is the last one.

MDCCLXVIII

D = 500
C = 100
X = 10
V = 5
I = 1

that's all I remember from memory.
but yah can look it up now. 

[Sgt.Rocknroll]

Thanks, but I still don't know what it means as far a age of the books..

[robomont]

I think m is 1000.that would mean 1616 i think.if my daughter wakes up.maybe she can help.armap may speak french.

[robomont]

After looking at pics.my guess is tome is edition.one says 3 and the other says 4.also it looks like its stories of choices.fables meaning story.french fables.similar to the brothers grimm maybe.

[Norval]

try 1768 

[ArMaP]

The first one says something like:

Chosen tales, put in verse by J. de la Fontaine.
New edition engraved in intaglio
The images by Sr. Fessard.
The text by Sr. Montulay
Dedicated to the children of France
First volume

In Paris

In the author's place usual engraver of the king's cabinet and of the Parme Academy, Street Saint Anne Butte S. Roch and in the king's library, Richelieu street.

1765

With the king's previlege.

The second:

Chosen tales
put in verse by
J. de la Fontaine.
New edition engraved in intaglio
The images by Sr Fessard,
king's engraver, of his library,
usual of his cabinete and of the royal academy of Parme.
The text by Fr. Drouet.
Presented to the king
Dedicated
to the children of France
Volume 4
1773
APDR
In Paris
The author in the kings library (I cannot read the rest)
DURAND library Gallande street
DESLAURIERS St. Honoré street, next to the (I don't understand it)

The third:

Chosen tales
put in verse by
J. de la Fontaine.
New edition
engraved in intaglio
The images by Sr Fessard,
The text by Sr. Drouet.
Presented to the king
Dedicated
to the children of France
Volume 3
In Paris
In the author's place usual engraver of the king's cabinet and of the Parme Academy, Street Saint Anne Butte S. Roch and in the king's library, Richelieu street.
1768
With privilege of the king

My French is a little rusty, but I think I haven't got too far away from a real translation.

[Sgt.Rocknroll]

Thanks guys hope they're worth something

[robomont]

There may be more history there tban just the books.like how your family took possesion.does that library still exist?

[zorgon]

I saw some like them on Ebay and there selling for around $250.00 a piece depending on the age.

Try asking Christies

http://www.christies.com/lotfinder/books-manuscripts/la-fontaine-jean-de-fables-choisies-5611278-details.aspx

[Sgt.Rocknroll]

I acquired the books from a priest in 1968. He was a young priest and me and some buds used to hang out at the rectory at St. Peter's in New Iberia. We would get together and drink and talk about movies, theater & acting. Just friends hanging out. One night we were in the rectory and there were a pile of old books. He had been tasked by the Monsignor to clean out the attic and throw all the 'junk' away. The books caught my eye because of the last name de la Fontaine. He said I could have them cause they were going in the trash in the morning. So I took them. Had them in a box with my comic collection.

[Sgt.Rocknroll]

I also have a set of Maeterlinck books of poems from the late 1800's and early 1900's.

Signed by Chief Justice Louisiana Supreme Court to his son in law from around 1860's

[burntheships]

One night we were in the rectory and there were a pile of old books. He had been tasked by the Monsignor to clean out the attic and throw all the 'junk' away. The books caught my eye because of the last name de la Fontaine.

A serendipity moment for sure,
a beautiful book to boot.

I can also suggest "abe books" in addition to all the above,
another good source to evaluate old books.

I have found them to be 5 stars for seller, and buyer.

[ArMaP]

I also have a set of Maeterlinck books of poems from the late 1800's and early 1900's.

Signed by Chief Justice Louisiana Supreme Court to his son in law from around 1860's

Sometimes, something like that is worth more than the book.

[robomont]

I was thinking about the global economy the other night and how its planned collapse.if this happens.there will be a reset of money values .downward in value is the consences.so imho.its better to sell now than later.when nobody has any money.

I sure wish i could afford them.what a nice collection.