[Ovide] ; Pierre Du Ryer - Les Métamorphoses d'Ovide, traduites en, françois (.) avec des explications [e.o. de la traduction] - 1655

Rare first edition of Pierre Du Ryer's French translation and commentary (1605-1658).

Two parts in one volume: Title with engraved vignette, 4 pages of preface, with the Privilege of the King, from page 1 to 740, the 15 Books of the Metamorphoses illustrated with 15 fine copper engravings outside the text by Gaspar Issac. In the second part, from page 1 to page 401, the Explanations of the Metamorphoses.

(without the engraved frontispiece title and the portrait, which are very often missing).

Historical binding in full brown calf, with a spine with nerves, gilded titles and fleurons in panels. Rolls on the edges.

Condition: worn binding (scuffs, tears, missing parts), still solid overall. The text shows foxing but remains legible. Restorations along the margins of pages 313-314 (see photos), missing paper in the lower margin of the plates in the first and fifth books, without affecting the engravings. Ink stains on some leaves. Ex-libris in ink on the second endpaper. Reasonable condition, a well-used copy.

Ovid; Pierre Du Ryer
Ovid's Metamorphoses, translated into French, with explanations [including details about the translation].
Paris, at Antoine de Sommaville's, 1655
in-4 (23 x 16.5 cm); 740-401-(6) pages.