Don Quixote

The History of the Renowned Don Quixote de la Mancha, by Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra. London: The Nonesuch Press, [1930].

Peter Anthony Motteux' translation revised anew (1743) & corrected rectified and filled up in numberless places by J. Ozell who likewise added the explanatory notes from the best editions in English and Spanish. Reprint of the seventh edition, initially published in 1743, with twenty-one illustrations by American artist and graphic designer Edward McKnight Kauffer, hailed in his lifetime as "the poster king" and best known for his modernist poster art, a style clearly suffusing the plates of this edition.

Published by London: The Nonesuch Press, in two sumptuous, leather-bound volumes, and printed and made in England by Walter Lewis, M.A., Printer to the University of Cambridge. Printed on Casinensis handmade paper, in 1930.

Only 1475 numbered copies were ever printed, out of which this listed one for sale is copy number 518.

A rather scarce, beautiful set of Cervantes' epic that regales the chivalrous adventures of the eccentric nobleman Don Quixote and his faithful squire Sancho Panza. Often labelled as the first modern novel and unsurprisingly, in our opinion at Sancho's Rare Books, one of the greatest works ever written.

Condition

2 volumes, octavo. Original tan morocco, brown spine labels, top edges gilt on the rough, others untrimmed. With 21 colour plates by E. McKnight Kauffer, as called for.

Leather ever-so-slightly worn in places, very light tanning to spine, mild foxing to covers and edges. All contents are very fresh and clean. Joints and hinges intact with pages tightly bound.

Original slipcase present with straight corners, showing some wear to joints and some splits that have been closed with transparent, archival tape. A lovely set in overall very good, smart condition.