OVIDE

The metamorphoses.

Paris, Leclerc, 1767.

4 volumes in-4 (24 x 18 cm), marbled and glazed calfskin (contemporary binding), decorated ribbed spine, title and volume numbers in red and ocher morocco, triple gilt fillet framing the covers, double fillet gilt on the cuts, marbled edges, large margins, stamp of "H. Faure", [4]-xc-[2]-264; viii-355-[1]; viii-360; 8-viii-367-[1]-20 pages (complete). A cap and a few rubbed corners, rubbed hinges, two wormholes on two jaws, small gallery of worms at the foot of the table of volume IV, rare minor soiling, a few browned boards and sheets, scattered foxing. Very decent condition.

Magnificent illustration, composed of 139 figures out of text by Boucher, Eisen, Gravelot, Monnet, Moreau, Le Prince, Parizeau and Saint-Gois, interpreted on copper under the direction of Le Mire, to which are added a title-frontispiece and a dedication of 3pp. to the Duke of Chartres, Louis-Philippe d'Orléans, drawn and engraved by Choffard, as well as 34 vignettes and a full-page cul-de-lampe, executed by the same artist from his drawings or those of Monnet.

Superb work, "one of the most gallantly illustrated of the entire century", according to Cohen, due to the care of the publisher Pierre-François Basan and the engraver Noël Le Mire.
This edition was printed by Prault, for the typographic part, under the royal privilege granted to Leclerc and shared between Pissot, Delalain, Delormel, Barrois, Despilly, Hochereau and other associated booksellers. A second edition, of inferior quality, appeared concurrently with this one.
The French translation by Abbé Antoine Banier is printed opposite the Latin text. It is accompanied by historical explanations by the translator and a Life of Ovid taken from his writings by Mr. G***.

Cohen, 769 – Brunet, IV, 286.

Pleasant copy.