OGILBY, John (1600-1676), translator. -- HOMER (?8th century B.C.). Homer his Iliads translated, adorn'd with sculpture, and illustrated with annotations. --Homer his Odysses Translated, Adorn'd with Sculpture, and Illustrated with Annotations. London: Printed by James Flesher, for the authour, 1669.

2 works in one volume, folio (387 x 245 mm). Engraved frontispieces (trimmed close affecting imprint and mounted); titles printed in red and black; decorative headpieces and initials; 45 engraved plates (of 50) in the Iliad; 21 copper engraved plates (of 24) in the Odyssey. (Several leaves at beginning and end remargined with minor loss to text on a few leaves; some spotting and soiling, three plates with a touch of amateurish coloring.) Modern calf. Provenance: Charles II (presentation inscription, see below); William Young (signature on title-page and a few other leaves) gifted to; Jasper Hulley (inscriptions from previous on upper margins of two plates dated 1 December 1773); Jasper Hulley (great grandson of previous inscription about rebinding in 1813 at a cost of 12 shillings).

PRESENTATION COPY, INSCRIBED TO THE DEDICATEE, CHARLES II, BY JOHN OGILBY: "Carolus a Carolo Magno Major, Jn. Ogilby" (inscription smudged). At the Restoration, "Ogilby made himself acceptable to Charles II and his court. In 1661 he was entrusted with the sole conduct of the 'poetical part' of the coronation" (DNB).

Second editions of Ogilby's beautifully illustrated translations of Homer's works, considered to be the best illustrated editions ever published. ESTC R30336 (Iliad); ESTC R26806 (Odyssey). A FINE ASSOCIATION COPY.

Property from the Dorros Family Collection