Ovid's Metamorphoses in Latin and English, Translated by The Most Eminent Hands. With Historical Explications Of the Fables, Written in French by The Abbot Banier, [...]. Translated into English, Adorned with Sculptures, by B. Picart, and other able Masters. Amsterdam: Wetstein & Smith, 1732.
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FIRST EDITION of this translation, and a beautiful copy of this very famous edition which was reprinted in a deluxe limited edition facsimile by Easton Press due to the beauty of the original, as here. The text, and more importantly, the illustrations, of this copy, are in beautiful condition. This is almost certainly the finest edition of Ovid ever printed.
This is both volumes, bound into one, thus constituting a very large folio volume. A magnificent copy of one of the most celebrated illustrated books of the 18th century which is highly lauded by the bibliographers. Brunet calls it a "beautiful edition, sought for the engravings that adorn it", and Brueggemann calls it "a very magnificent work."
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Size: 320 x 478 mm (approx.)
*thickness approx. 80 mm
Condition:
[(1), h.t., frontis, t.p., *1-6*2, A1-Z4, Aa-Hh4]; [t.p., A1-B4, 3 plates, C1-Z4, Aa1-Ll4, Mm1, (1)]
Early 20th century quarter calf over marbled paper backed boards, 'Ovid' lettered in gilt to the spine with '1732' at the foot. Binding a little rubbed with some minor loss at the head of the backstrip, but very attractive on the shelf. An imposing very large book with magnificent illustrations throughout. Two volumes bound into one. Both boards are securely attached, the binding is secure, and stands without shelf lean. Modern endpapers. Without attached bookplates. Contemporary ownership inscription of Elizabeth Astley to main title page and similarly to pp.1 of the first volume. It would seem that this copy sold at Christie's at some point in the past. Some very small minor spotting to a few leaves and the occasional small stain, but generally exceptionally clean and bright throughout the text. A beautiful copy, very good to near fine, of this magnificent edition of Ovid, one of the most celebrated illustrated books of the 18th century.
[Brunet IV, 285; Brueggeman, 624; ESTC T145731].
