[SANDYS, G. (1578-1644), translator]. Ovid's Metamorphosis Englished, Mythologiz'd, and Represented in Figures, Oxford, 1632, folio, engraved title, portrait, 15 plates, later calf. The second folio edition, and the first to include the engraved plates.

[SANDYS, George (1578-1644), translator].  Ovid's Metamorphosis Englished, Mythologiz'd, and Represented in Figures. An Essay to the Translation of Virgil's Æneis. By G. S. Oxford: John Lichfield, 1632. Folio (316 x 220mm). Additional engraved allegorical title, engraved portrait of Ovid, 15 engraved plates by Salomon Savery after Francis Clien, one-page of errata at the end (lacks text leaves G3-4 (i.e. pp.57-60), replaced by 4 later blank leaves; also lacks text leaves Mm1-2 (i.e. pp.481-484), replaced by 4 later blank leaves, part of the blank corner of the additional engraved title torn away without loss, the engraved title spotted and stained, the letterpress title stained, some mainly marginal spotting and staining throughout, a few darker spots or short ink lines, with several faults in the pagination, but complete apart from the missing leaves itemized above). 19th-century half mottled calf, spine gilt with red morocco lettering-piece (extremities and spine rubbed, later endpapers). Provenance: B. & J. F. Meehan, Export Booksellers, 32, Gay Street, Bath (small label on front pastedown). The second folio edition of Sandy's verse translation of Ovid's "Metamorphoses", and the first to include the engraved plates; the translation can also lay claim to being, at least in part, the first poetry written in English in the New World. "While in America Sandys completed a verse translation of Ovid's 'Metamorphoses,' which he had begun in England ... An elaborate edition in folio appeared at Oxford in 1632, under the title 'Ovid's Metamorphosis Englished, mythologized, and represented in Figures' ... In an address to the reader Sandys refers to this as the 'second edition carefully revised.' The engraved title-page, although resembling in design that of 1626, is new; it was the work of Francis Clein, and was engraved by Salomon Savery. Each of the fifteen books, as well as the 'Life of Ovid', is preceded by a full-page engraving. The first book of the 'Æneid' is alone attempted. The copy in the Bodleian Library, which lacks the engraved title, was the gift of Sandys ... Sandys' rendering of Ovid's 'Metamorphoses' has chiefly preserved his name in literary circles ..." (DNB). Please also see DNB for a full account of the work's complicated publishing history. A later printed catalogue description slip is inserted at the letterpress title in the present copy, stating, "The work is of peculiar interest, as the first elaborate poetical composition of America. Sandys was Treasurer of the English Colony of Virginia, and on the banks of the James River completed his excellent translation of the Metamorphosis of Ovid. A copy of this edition sold recently [date unspecified] in London for £31." Sabin 76458; STC 18966; not in Brunet.