Comprises: History of Don-Quichote. The first parte. [22 (of 26)], 572, [4] pp. ¶4 (-¶1, a blank), A-Oo4. [London: Printed [by William Stansby] for Ed: Blounte, [1620?]. [bound with] The second part of the history of the valorous and witty knight-errant, Don Quixote of the Mançha. VVritten in Spanish by Michael Ceruantes: and now translated into English. [16 (of 18)], 276, 279-504 pp. A-Ll8, Kk4 (-Kk4, a blank). London: printed [by Eliot’s Court Press] for Edward Blount, 1620. Together, both parts bound together in contemporary calf. Occasional woodcut headpieces & initials. (4to) 18.8x13.5 cm. (7½x5¼"), period calf. First complete edition in English, comprising the Second Edition in English of Part I, First Edition in English of Part II.
Cervantes' masterpiece, Part I of which was first published in Spanish in 1605, with Part II appearing in 1615. The first edition in English of Part I was published in 1612, and is extremely rare, making the second edition of Part I, in itself rare, still the earliest realistically obtainable edition. Though undated, it seems to have been issued about the time of the 1620 first edition in English of Part II. To have both parts bound together in a contemporary binding is very rare and adds to their bibliographic significance. The translator's preface to Part I is signed Thomas Shelton, and Shelton is generally credited with the translation of Part II as well, though some have attributed it to Leonard Digges. Ink ownership signature of Elizabeth Ruland, dated 1746, on p. 1 (the beginning of Chap. 1) of Part I; signature of Charles Drake, dated July, 1851, to front pastedown along with a 4-line notation on the publication history of Don Quixote; small accession label of Downes Library beneath the notation; several ink notations to ¶2r (1st page of dedication), possibly ownership signatures but illegible. Written perpendicularly in ink in the margin of p. 174 of Part I, in what looks like an 18th century hand, is “Memoirs of an unfortunate young Robert Pyke, Nobleman”; perpendicular signature of Pyke in margin of p.62 in Part II. Several other instances of ink marginalia are also present. STC 4916 & 4917; Pforzheimer 140.
Condition:
Lacking initial blank and engraved title in Part I (there was no printed title); lacking the added engraved title in Part II (with printed title present); lacking leaf C7 (pp.29-30) in Part II; lacking Kk4 (a blank) in Part II. Some rubbing and wear to binding, old ms. paper spine label, which is chipped; some soiling and aging to contents, but overall fairly moderate; ¶2 (1st page of dedication), with top 1” of margin missing, affecting heading on verso; following 3 leaves with some chipping in upper corners not affecting text; fore-margin of Q6 (pp. 235-6 in the First Part) extended; Oo8 (final leaf of Part I) with old paper repair to gutter margin, 1¼” piece of lower corner lacking affecting catchword.; neat 4” slice to B3 in Part II, no loss; a very good copy - very rare bound together in contemporary binding.