Beschreibung:

Title: [Metamorphoses in English, i.e.]: The .xv. bookes of P. Ouidius Naso, entytuled Metamorphosis, translated oute of Latin into English meeter, by Arthur Golding Gentleman, a worke very pleasaunt and delectable Author: Ovid Place: London Publisher: Willyam Seres Date: 1567 Description: [12], 200 leaves. a-b4, A4, B-Y8, Aa-Dd8. (8vo) 7½x5½, modern full brown levant morocco, spine lettered in gilt, raised bands, gilt-ruled turn-ins, new endpapers, all edges gilt; bound by Brian Frost Very rare first edition of Ovid's Metamorphoses in English, the first printing of Golding's translation, and effectively the first translation into English of the true text. William Caxton had printed a "moralized" version of the Metamorphosis in the 15th century, but it was not an accurate or complete translation into English. It is the present translation that so influenced William Shakespeare - it was one of the favorite books of his youth, and served as a source, even being referenced in his final play, The Tempest. No copies of this edition have sold at auction since 1975, according to American Book Prices Current, and only 15 copies are listed in OCLC. Lot Amendments Condition: The first two leaves (a1-2, the title-page and first leaf of the dedicatory epistle) are not present, but are supplied in fine facsimile. B5 missing lower corner affecting catchword, overall in fine condition, in handsome modern binding. Item number: 197117