DORÉ, Gustave and CERVANTES. The Ingenious Hidalgo Don Quixo - Lot 191

DORÉ, Gustave and CERVANTES. The Ingenious Hidalgo Don Quixote de la Mancha by Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra. The greatest classic of Spanish literature, brilliantly illustrated by Gustave Doré in two large folio volumes in (rare) very good condition. Paris, Librairie de L. Hachette et Cie, 1869. 2 volumes in 2 vol. in-folio. Red half-chagrin, spine ribbed, boxes framed with fillets and gilt lace, title and tomaison in gilt fairy-tale-inspired ornamental font, gilt title of same typeface on upper boards, gilt edges. XXIV - 586 pp. - 1 f.n.ch. and 636 pp. 370 illustrations, including approx. 120 out-of-text (I'm counting tomorrow, Thursday 18th). Some rubbing, a wormhole in the spine of the first volume, very rare foxing. Second printing of this "very fine publication with admirable woodcut compositions after Gustave Doré" (Carteret, 138-140), in a binding by Charles Manier. The 370 woodcuts in these two volumes, whether in large plates, headbands or simple culs-de-lampe, give the story a visual universe and texture all the more appreciable for Doré's ability to convey the pathos, heroism and Spanish picturesqueness of Louis Viardot's translation. Despite the high price of the 80 issues (40 f. for the complete work!), the edition was a real success, certainly due to the remarkable work of both Gustave Doré (who traveled to the land of Cervantes the year before the first publication in 1863, and to whom we owe the monumentality of this work, which was intended to be smaller) and Héliodore Pisan, one of the leading engravers of the third quarter of the 19th century, whose engravings of this work are often cited as examples. Gordon N. Ray will remember this work as one of the hundred most beautiful French illustrated books. A very fine piece in exceptionally well-preserved condition. Source : - Vicaire, II, 160 - Carteret, Le trésor du bibliophile, époque romantique 1801-1875, pp. 138-140.