931 - Ovid, N.P.

Ovid, N.P. Metamorphoses in Latin and English, translated by the most eminent hands. With historical explanations of the Fables, written in French by Abbot Banier, translated into English. Illustrated with engravings by B. Picart and other skilled masters. 2 vols. Amsterdam, Wetsteins and Smith, 1732. Large folio. With engraved frontispiece, engraved title and header vignettes, as well as 125 half-color text engravings. 13 leaves, 247 pp.; 1 leaf, pp. 249–524, 2 leaves. New half-leather binding. Cohen/R. 768: “Magnifique ouvrage.” Fürstenberg, Franz. Book 71 and Cat. p. 155. Sander 1468. — One of the most beautiful illustrated editions of Ovid. Latin-English parallel text. Editions with French and Dutch translations were published at the same time; the latter is said to contain the first engravings of the outstanding copperplate illustrations. Nevertheless, the prints here are excellent and clean. - Some (mostly text) foxing; endpapers replaced.