Philip Ayres (1638-1712)

Emblemata Amatoria

c1690

Contents : frontispiece engraving 'L'Amour aux Dames' with accompanying engraved sonnet : Cupid to the Ladies, followed by a French version of the same, followed by 44 engraved plates (the Emblems of Love) and 44 engraved poems, each in 4 languages (Latin, French, English and Italian).

Binding : full leather of the period with 4 raised bands, gilt titles and gilt devices to the spine.

Exterior condition : small loss of leather on the front cover, title scarcely legible, corners somewhat bumped.

Internal condition : a few grubby marks. No title page, though this edition has three extra pages at the beginning compared with the 1683 edition. Ownership inscriptions in ink to the reverse of the frontispiece engraving, some crossed out.An extra 8 line poem inscribed to the reverse of the last page of engraved poems, in ink, in a period hand. The page of poems which should accompany Emblem 37 is missing.

£660