Cervantes [Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra]; [Jervas] Jarvis, Charles Esq. (translator); de los Rios, Vicente (biography) The Life and Exploits of the Ingenious Gentleman Don Quixote de la Mancha. Translated from the Original Spanish of Miguel de Cervantes Saaveda, by Charles Jarvis, Esq. Now Carefully Revised and Corrected with a New Translation of The Spanish Poetry, to which is Prefixed a Copious and New Life of Cervantes, Including a Critique on the Quixote; and a Chronological Plan of the Work. Embellished with New Engravings; and a Map of Part of Spain. In Four Volumes. Published by For William Miller, London, 1810. Illustrated by Anker Smith, Samuel Shelley, Thomas Stothard et al "Revised and Corrected"
Reprint of the 1801 William Miller issue. Hard cover, 8vo, in original tree calf, the spine with faux banding in gilt, tooled with a variety of moorish patterned stamps, the title upon onlaid red morocco labels. Shilling rolled board edges, engraved armorial bookplate to endpaper. This edition with Author's and Translator's Prefaces, Biography, color-highlighted map, and Notes per each volume. Vol. 1 cxiv, , 371pp. with engraved frontis. portrait of author, one fold-out map, plus 4 additional unnumbered engraved plates. Vol. 2 ix, 412 pp. with 5 unnumbered engraved plates. Vol. 3 xvi, 391pp. with 4 unnumbered plates.Vol. 4 xii, 440pp. plus 8pp. publisher's catalogue, as called for. All plates present. Text in English. CONDITION: Very Good. Some exterior rubbing, including at corners. Old ink stain V.2 front board, also with two water stained corners seen only at front endpapers. Front joints tender. Small losses at head and foot of spine. Inside, front hinges are cracked but holding, (with V.3 and 4 barely starting) All rear hinges are in order. Light polish offset to endpapers and fly leaves. Some light print offset opposite plates. Top edges dusty. Pages lightly age toned. Foxing seen only to frontis and very lightly upon some engraved plates. Map in order. A few dog eared page folds and the occasional single spots of foxing to a few page margins. Publisher's catalogue with wrinkle assumed dating from manufacture. Overall, about a third of the exterior gilt decoration has various states of wear and loss, but enhances the vintage patina. A lovely, useable set. Please refer to photos. **First published in Spanish in 1605 and 1612, Don Quixote became a foundational novel of the western canon, and in foreign translation from the early days of publication. Irish Translator CHARLES JERVAS's [misspelled Jarvis] (1675-1739) version is a classic. The Irish translator was also an artist and poet. The work of British Artists SAMUEL SHELLEY (c.1750-1808) and THOMAS STOTHARD (1755-1834) also make this a notable illustrated version of the celebrated Spanish novel. Shelley was a miniaturist, watercolor artist and a co-founder of the Watercolor Society. Biographer F.M. O'Donoghue called him "one of the most charming and fashionable miniaturists of his time, ranking with Cosway, Smart, and Collins." (DNB) Stothard apprenticed as a draughtsman in fabric design, and later became engaged in book illustration and portraiture. He and Samuel Shelley lodged together in The Strand from 1778. Stothard's work was shown at The Royal Academy around this time, and he also enjoyed the mentorship of portraitist Sir Joshua Reynolds and landscape artist Richard Wilson. Many of his illustrations were published in the popular press, although it was a print artist and book illustrator for which he became famous. Some of his works were engraved by the young William Blake. (Monkhouse, DNB). Worldcat 975142591; cf. Biblioteca Central, Barcelona. Catalogo de la colleccíon cervantina. (AMJ)

Ref: FICT19 9833

$495.00