The Life and Exploits of the ingenious Gentleman Don Quixote de la Mancha

First edition of the lavishly illustrated presentation of the Spanish classic of Don Quixote! London: J. and R. Tonson and R. Dodsley, 1742. 4to, 2 volume set. 10.75" x 9". With engraved portrait of Cervantes and 68 fine engraved copperplates by Gerard Vander Gucht after drawings of John Vanderbank. xxiv, [8], xxv-xxxii, vi, [2], 90, [14], 355, [1]; xii, 388 pp.

Includes the reimpression of the Life of Cervantes, with title dated 1738. Bound here in modern 1/4 calf over marbled boards. The first edition of this translation by Jervas, here with the scarce 8-page "Supplement to the Translator's Preface" inserted between pages xxiv and xxv (not found in all copies; some call this a second issue-point). A handsome edition, presented in a large quarto format with finely engraved plates. The translation was by Charles Jervas, whose name was consistently misspelled on editions of his translation as "Jarvis." ESTC T59882.

The portrait of Cervantes by G. Kent, engraved by George Vertue, is opposite to the first page of the 90-page "Life of Michael de Cervantes Saavedra", dated 1738 in Volume I.

Condition: Bindings excellent with a few very light scratches. Very few instances of light foxing or soiling, some light offsetting from plates, clean text and illustrations with almost no spotting, a nice example overall.