OVIDIUS, Naso (Publius). – George Sandys (translator). Ovid’s Metamorphosis Englished by G.S. London: [William Stansby], 1626. Small folio signed in 4s (241 x 155mm.) Engraved title by T. Cecill laid down, ‘The Minde of the Frontispiece’ poem mounted verso title, heavily annotated in a near contemporary hand to margins. (Lacking the portrait of Ovid, lacking Ss6 the final imprimatur leaf, the dedication had been printed over the title-page which is laid-down, browning, occasional minor soiling, marginal loss to O1, text slightly affected.) Contemporary calf, blind-stamped (calf peeling at upper joint). Note: the annotations are both legible and informative. George Sandys worked on this translation while employed as a treasurer in the colony of Virginia in the period 1621-1625. It makes this the first major literary work written in America. Provenance: Lewis Spencer (ink name to first blank); Arb. Reeves (ink name to A1).