5 “A universal classic and arguably the greatest book ever written in Spanish… Cervantes created a study of reality and illusion, madness and sanity, that links him with such acute 16th-century students of psychology as Erasmus, Rabelais, Montaigne and Shakespeare” (Folger’s Choice 30). Cervantes is “the only possible peer of Dante and Shakespeare… Confronting the strength of Don Quixote, the reader is never lessened, only enhanced” (Harold Bloom). Although the First Part of Don Quixote was originally published in 1612, only a handful of copies survive; eminent bookseller A.S.W. Rosenbach called it virtually unobtainable. This edition of 1620, comprising both parts appearing together for the first time in English, is considered the first complete edition in English and the earliest obtainable English edition. “Not only the first English translation, but the first translation in any language” (Library of Robert Hoe 670). In 1607 Thomas Shelton, “acquiring a knowledge of Spanish, at the request of ‘a very deere friend that was desirous to understand the subject,’ translated the first part of the Historie of Don-Quixote. The task only occupied him 40 days. The first part of Cervantes’ novel originally appeared at Madrid early in 1605.… In January 1611-12 [Shelton's] work was licensed for publication to Edward Blount and William Barret… The book immediately achieved the popularity that Cervantes’ work has always retained in [England].” In 1615 Cervantes published in Madrid his second part of Don Quixote and this appeared in English in 1620 for the first time, also translated by Shelton. “With the second part was published a new edition of the first, and the two were often bound up together… Though Shelton’s version bears many traces of haste… he reproduces in robust phraseology the spirit of the original, and realizes Cervantes’ manner more nearly than any successor” (DNB). Bound without the additional engraved title to the second part. Bookplates of Isabel Somerset, Reigate Priory. Lady Isabella Caroline, Lady Henry Somerset, a leading late-19th century temperance advocate, “founded Duxhurst, a farm colony, near Reigate, for inebriate women” (DNB). Contemporary owner signatures. A few instances of contemporary ink marginalia. Light marginal dampstaining to last few leaves of Volume II. Only a few leaves cropped close, affecting gathering markings, printed marginalia and catchwords; main text unaffected. Generally a splendid copy. Very nearly fine, extraordinarily scarce and important. “A universal classic and arguably the greatest book ever written in Spanish"
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