HOY, Thomas (1659–1718), translator. Two essays. The former Ovid. De Arte Amandi, or, The Art of Love. The first book. The later Hero and Leander of Musaeus. Translated from the original Greek by Hoy. London: T. James for Richard Northcott, 1682. Small 4to (203 x 159 mm). Half crushed red levant, marbled sides, gilt–lettered spine, all edges gilt, stamp–signed by Blackwell. Provenance: Richard Heber (1774–1833), ink stamp “BIBLIOTHECA HEBERIANA” (the stamps were added after Heber’s death to the books that were thought more valuable). Heber is considered one of the most famous 19th–century book collectors and bibliophiles, amassing at least 150,000 volumes which were largely purchased from the most significant book sales of the early 19th century, including those of Duke of Roxburghe, George Spencer, Duke of Marlborough, and others. T.F. Dibdin dedicated his Bibliomania: or, book–madness to Heber in 1809. The collection was sold in a series of sales held between 1834–37, generating 13 printed catalogues in London plus further sales in Paris and Ghent (See De Ricci, English collectors of books and manuscripts pp. 102–105); Exeter College inscription dated 1837; Sold at the Merwin–Clayton Sales Company auction, 3–4 October 1905; DYAL? (bookplate with four letter cipher). FIRST ENGLISH TRANSLATION, from a notable 19th century bibliophile’s library. ESTC R6310; Grolier Club, Wither to Prior 429; Wing O697.