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CERVANTES SAAVEDRA, Miguel de (1547--1616)
[Don Quijote. English. Jarvis. 1756]
The life and exploits of the ingenious gentleman Don Quixote de la Mancha. Translated from the original Spanish of Miguel Cervantes de Saavedra. By Charles Jarvis, Esq; The third edition. In two volumes. ...
London (Place), printed for J. and R. Tonson and S. Draper, and R. and J. Dodsley,, 1756.
2 vols ; 28.5 cm. (4º)
I: xxiii, [10], xxvi--xxxii, vi, [2], 90, [14], 372 p., engr. port., 27 pl.
II: xii, 398 p., 28--68 [i.e. 40] pl.

Translation originally published in 1742. Jarvis who was principal portrait painter to George I and II (in succession to Sir George Kneller) in his translator's preface refers to three previous translations: by Thomas Shelton (1612) from the Italian translation, by John Stevens (1700), and by Motteux (1700, done by several hands); Smollett's translation first appeared in 1755. Jarvis's translation appeared as recently as 1897 with illustrations by W. Heath Robinson. Includes 'A Supplement to the Translator's Preface', in the form of a dissertation 'on the origin of books of chivalry', by William Warburton; the reimpression of Don Gregorio Mayáns & Siscár's life of Cervantes translated by Mr Ozell, first published by J. and R. Tonson in 1738; and an 'Advertisement concerning the Prints. By John Oldfield, M.D.' John Oldfield was a connoisseur whose own 'collection of Italian, Flemish, and English pictures' was sold by Thomas Prestage in February 1766. The illustrations, mostly designed by J. Vanderbank and engraved by G. Van der Gucht., are from the original copper plates for the Tonsons' setting of the Spanish text, London 1738, with revised page references; one is by Claude de Bosc, one by B. Baron, and another by George Vertue. The portrait of Cervantes in vol. I (extra to the set of 68 numbered plates including the frontispiece as pl. 1) is by George Vertue after G. Kent. ESTC t59885; Rius 633.

Copy Notes Inscribed in pencil on vol. I front free-endpaper £7-7-0. Second front free-endpaper in vol. II inscribed in ink on recto J Smith / Magd: Coll., pasted onto the marbled first front free-endpaper but legible through the verso. Possibly Sir John Smith, 1st Baronet (1744--1807) on the evidence of the armorial stamp on the binding. John Smith of Sydling St. Nicholas, Dorset was the son of Henry Smith of New Windsor, and Mary, daughter of John Hill. He was a Fellow of the Royal Society, of the Society of Antiquaries, a D.C.L., and High Sheriff of Dorset in 1772. He was created a Baronet 1 June 1774.

Binding C18th sprinkled calf, gilt-tooled spines, black and red morocco spine-labels, marbled endpapers, additional black spine-label in fourth compartment with armorial emblem bearing the gilt-tooled monogram 'J.S.' with the hand of Ulster on an escutcheon (17 x 22 mm).

Reference Number 3894

Additional Names Ozell, John (d.$1743); Mayans y Siscar, Gregorio (1699--1781); Jarvis, Charles (1675?--1739); Oldfield, John; Smith, Sir John, 1st Baronet (1744--1807)


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