However, beneath the title of each plate there is an inscription indicating that some of these were designed in the years 1809-10, antedating the publication of the book itself in 1811 and suggesting that they were sold separately at that date, and probably afterwards too. Since fables carried a moral, they had wider popular appeal than elitist sporting subjects and could be mounted on walls for the edification of whoever saw them.
However, beneath the title of each plate there is a notation indicating that some of these were created in the years 1809-10, pre-dating the publication of the book itself in 1811 and suggesting that they were sold separately at that time, and probably afterwards as well. Since fables had a moral, they had broader popular appeal than exclusive sporting subjects and could be mounted on walls for the education of whoever saw them.