El Ingenioso Hidalgo Don Quixote de la Mancha.

Bookseller Notes

Rare, especially in commerce. A complete copy in a fine contemporary binding of the first Brussels (first extra-Iberian) edition of the novel "which is to Spanish literature what Shakespeare is to English" (Bloom). Ruiz notes that this edition was the most finely printed of the early versions to date. Don Quixote won immediate fame when first printed in 1605 for its "variety, liveliness, and gibes at the famous. "Its subdued pathos and universal humanity have assured it a place as "one of those universal works which are read by all ages at all times" (PMM). It quickly went through numerous editions,and translations. This edition is the seventh overall - all early editions are rare. Velpius's edition, which introduced the text to Northern Europe, is based on Cuesta's second of 1605, with many misprints and other textual infelicities corrected, and itself 'corregido con cuidado' (Palau). RBH and ABPC record only 3 other copies at auction in the last 30 years. In Maggs's 1927 catalogue a copy in a Zaehnsdorf binding (with the second part) was priced 52 10s.The second part, which Cervantes wrote in response to spurious sequels, appeared 10 years later.The arms feature as 'unidentified' at the end of vol. 15 of 'Manuel de l'Amateur de Reliures Armories Franaises' (with thanks to Dr Sara Trevisan pointing us there).