{"product_id":"xxxxxx-4","title":"Ovid’s Epistles | 1808 | Fine Full Calf Binding | Marbled Edges","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA beautiful early 19th-century edition of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOvid’s Epistles, Translated into English Verse by Various Authors, to which is prefixed The Life of Ovid\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, published in London in 1808.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePrinted by Ellerton and Byworth for J. Walker and a consortium of London booksellers, this small volume contains 167 pages and presents Ovid’s celebrated \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHeroides\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e in English verse through the work of a number of translators, including Sir Carr Scrope, Alexander Pope, John Dryden, Edward Fairfax, John Sheffield, Duke of Buckingham, and others.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHeroides\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, or \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEpistles\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, are among Ovid’s most distinctive works: a series of poetic letters placed in the voices of women and men of classical mythology, exploring love, abandonment, longing, betrayal, and separation. Among the figures represented are Sappho and Phaon, Penelope and Ulysses, Dido and Aeneas, Ariadne and Theseus, Helen and Paris, and Hero and Leander.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEspecially desirable is the book’s handsome \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003econtemporary full calf binding\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, the boards richly mottled or speckled in warm brown tones and framed with gilt rules and a delicate gilt decorative border. The spine is ornamented in gilt with decorative floral devices and retains its dark leather title label. Gilt decoration also extends to the board edges.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe volume retains its striking \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003emarbled endpapers and marbled page edges\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, executed in an attractive palette of blue-green and warm orange. An engraved frontispiece and an additional engraved vignette title page precede the letterpress title page, giving this small volume considerable visual appeal. 167pp.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOf additional interest is the provenance:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e the front pastedown bears the engraved armorial bookplate of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSheffield Neave (1799–1868)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, a prominent British banker who served as Governor of the Bank of England from 1857 to 1858. The handsome heraldic bookplate identifies the volume as having formed part of Neave’s library, adding a notable association and documented nineteenth-century provenance to this already exceptionally attractive copy.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCondition: Very Good+\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe gilt decoration remains notably bright. Binding is sound. Marbled endpapers and all three marbled page edges remain especially attractive. Very well preserved overall. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSize: 2 7\/8” x 5”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA very lovely \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRegency-era literary miniature\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, combining classical literature, early nineteenth-century engraving, and an exceptionally decorative period binding.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Honey Bee Mill","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55069684629803,"sku":null,"price":325.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0015\/7086\/5251\/files\/page0_7f23dd1c-24ec-44ea-add5-66e1c9a7b2d4.jpg?v=1787619319","url":"https:\/\/honeybeemill.com\/products\/xxxxxx-4","provider":"Honey Bee Mill","version":"1.0","type":"link"}