The History and Adventures of the Renowned Don Quixote.
Philadelphia: Birch and Small, 1811-2. First American Edition. Four 12mos, 318; 299; 330; 312 pages, bound in uniform period full leather with gilt bands and lettering to spines. The History and Adventures of the Renowned Don Quixote is an important early American printing of Cervantes’ classic and is commonly described as the First Separate American Edition. Published in Philadelphia by Birch & Small in 1811–1812, this complete four-volume set is a handsome example of early nineteenth-century American book production and a desirable issue of one of the great landmarks of world literature. Printed from Tobias Smollett’s celebrated English translation and bound in attractive period leather, the set offers strong appeal for collectors of Cervantes, early American imprints, classic literature, and antiquarian multi-volume sets. A substantial and increasingly scarce American Don Quixote, it combines literary importance, early United States publishing history, and excellent shelf presence. Some rubbing and wear, scuffs to leather, rear free endpapers in volume four missing, corner to front free endpaper in volume 3 & 4 missing, slight damage to the top of the spine of volume 3, some scattered foxing and discoloration, else in good + condition. Item #234
Price: $4,750.00