“REALIZES CERVANTES’ MANNER MORE NEARLY THAN ANY SUCCESSOR”: 1675 THIRD EDITION OF SHELTON’S TRANSLATION OF DON QUIXOTE, HANDSOMELY BOUND

CERVANTES SAAVEDRA, Miguel de. The History of The Valorous and Witty Knight Errant, Don Quixote, Of the Mancha. London: for R. Scot et al., 1675. BOUND WITH (as issued): The Second Part of the History of the Valorous and Witty Knight-Errant…. London: Richard Hodgkinson, 1672. Quarto, modern full polished brown calf, red morocco spine label. $11,000.

Scarce third edition of Thomas Shelton’s complete English translation of the first modern novel—“one of those universal works which are read by all ages at all times” (PMM 111).

"Under the guise of a parody on romances of chivalry, 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). The first edition appeared in two parts in 1605 and 1614. Don Quixote first saw English translation in 1612 (the first part) and 1620 (the second part) by Thomas Shelton—indeed, "not only the first English translation, but the first translation in any language' of Cervantes' classic tale (Library of Robert Hoe 670). Shelton "reproduces in robust phraseology the spirit of his original, and realizes Cervantes' manner more nearly than any successor" (DNB). This third edition largely reproduces the second edition of 1652, with changes confined largely to the second part (Río y Rico 441). Decorated with woodcut initials, ornamental head- and tailpieces. Leaves 2K2 and 2K3 reversed (but complete). Wing C1777 (part one). Escuerdo 1155. Exposicion Conmemorativa del Quijote 303. Mas I 107, 104. Iconografia de las Ediciones del Quijote (English) 400. Armorial bookplate.

Scattered light foxing and faint dampstaining. Occasional minor closed tears and loss to lower corners, not affecting text. Title page with minor marginal restoration at the gutter. An excellent copy, handsomely bound. Scarce.