METAMORPHOSES.

(London: Printed for Jacob Tonson, 1717). 398 x 248 mm. (15 5/8 x 9 5/8"). 3 p.l., xx, [4], 548 pp. (lacking engraved dedicatory portrait of the Princess of Wales).Edited by Samuel Garth and translated by John Dryden, Joseph Addison, and others. First Edition with these translations.

Contemporary panelled calf (sympathetically rebacked with new backstrip, corners and parts of edges repaired), covers with gilt coat of arms of Henry Blencowe, raised bands, original red morocco label with gilt lettering. With extra engraved title page and 15 LARGE, RICHLY DETAILED ENGRAVED PLATES. Front pastedown with book label of Ian Jack (presumably the British journalist of that name). ESTC T108889. ◆Old leather a bit abraded, hinges cracked, but the binding very sturdy and with significant antique appeal; light offsetting from plates, isolated small stains, marks, foxing, and other trivial defects, but these faults all quite minor, and, overall, the contents in fine condition (or nearly so)--very clean throughout and obviously well looked after.

Translated by the most "Eminent Hands" (as the extended title of this work tells us), including John Dryden, Joseph Addison, William Congreve, and Alexander Pope, this handsomely illustrated large folio edition of Ovid's magnum opus contains a charming suite of engravings that is unusually animated and full of interest. The artists of these illustrations were not content with just one theme: each masterful composition contains subjects from several different legends. Among the scenes pictured in these engravings are: people becoming trees and Phaeton falling from his chariot in the sky; Perseus flourishing the head of Medusa while Minerva chats with the Nine Muses and, in the background, the ship of Odysseus sails past the Sirens; Apollo and Artemis slaying the children of the arrogant Niobe, with a vignette, off to one side, showing Minerva turning the weaver Arachne into a spider; and a medley of scenes from Homer's "Iliad," including Thetis appealing to Zeus in the sky, Hephaestus forging the armor of Achilles, and the funeral pyre of Patroclus. Although the work as a whole is dedicated to Caroline, Princess of Wales, at the foot of each plate is a small crest and dedication to other notable contemporary women, with Mrs. Walpole, Viscountess Townshend, and the Honourable Mrs. Margaret Pelham being among these dedicatees. The present work comes from the library of Henry Blencowe (1676-1721), High Sheriff of Cumberland, with his gilt armorial device on each cover.
(ST17496-008)

Price: $3,000.00