Cervantes Saavedra, Miguel de | The first two Brussels editions of the Spanish Quixote

Cervantes Saavedra, Miguel de

El Ingenioso Hidalgo Don Quixote de la Mancha. Brussels: Roger Velpius, 1607. [With:] Segunda parte del ingenioso cavallero Don Quixote de la Mancha. Bruxelles: Huberto Antonio, 1616

2 volumes, 8vo (173 x 105 mm). A few marginal notes and some occasional underlining from a contemporary reader, faint damp stain in lower margin from Kk to end, Part II with infrequent faint spotting. Contemporary vellum with manuscript titles to upper covers and spines; Part I vellum a little soiled, bottom of spine worn with some loss, old ties perished on both, hinges cracked on Part I with text block somewhat loose.

The first two Brussels editions of the Spanish Quixote, published separately and very rare complete.

Lifetime editions of the first modern novel, with contemporary provenance.

Cervantes classic of world literature (Bloom terms it "to Spanish literature what Shakespeare is to English") first appeared in Madrid in 1605, with the second part published in 1615. Reprints in Madrid and Lisbon soon followed, with the present Brussels edition chronologically the fourth to emerge. All editions are rare, with even piracies collected. However, the Brussels edition printed by Velpius is particularly noted for its use of Cuedra's second edition text (which corrected the misprints present in the the first), and for the beauty of its printing. It was edition that spread the work from the Iberian Peninsula and into Northern Europe. The present edition of the second part is like its companion, the first to appear outside of Spain, but also the second overall, appearing just months after the first. 

The separate publication of the two volumes makes acquiring a complete set, especially an unsophisticated example as found here, difficult. The present lot has contemporary provenance (1660) noted in each volume, demonstrating that this pair has been united since at least that time, and most likely from the publication of the second part. 

"...It was the variety, the liveliness, and the gibes at the famous, which won it instant fame... Within months Don Quixote and Sancho Panza had become legendary... Don Quixote is one of those universal works which are read by all ages at all times, and there are very few who have not at one time or another felt themselves to be Don Quixote confronting the windmills of Sancho Panza at the inn" (PMM). 

REFERENCES:

Ford-Lansing, p. 5; Peeters-Fontainas 226 & 228; Brunet I, 1748; Palau, 51981 & 51986

PROVENANCE:

Manuscript ex-libris dated 1660 on pastedowns seems to refer to Philippe Antoine Dominique, prince of Rubempré and Everberghe, count of Vertaing (1650-1707?) — Engraved armorial ex-libris of Maximilien, Prince of Rubempre and Everberghe, Count of Merode and Montfort (1710-1773) — Pierre Berge, 18 June 2014, lot 54, EUR 73,800