Don Quixote de la Mancha

Miguel de Cervantes‘ work El Ingenioso Hidalgo Don Quixote de la Mancha etc. El Ingenioso Cavallero Don Quixote de la Mancha was printed in two parts in the years 1605 and 1615 by Juan de la Cuesta in Madrid. Neither the author nor the printer could have anticipated such success from the two-part story. In the first few years alone, the first part enjoyed success with ten editions. The precious first edition of the bestseller survives today in about 30 specimens, including the one presented here from the Biblioteca del Cigarral del Carmen in Toledo.

Bibliophile Treasures from the Spanish Golden Age

The printed specimens of the first edition of Don Quixote present themselves as small book treasures, which are wonderfully designed and whose focus lies entirely on the literary content. The adventurous world of the knight errand from la Mancha unfolds on 321 and 280 pages respectively, the volumes are 18.5 x 12.7 cm. An exquisitely designed title page with a figurative woodcut as well as some elaborate initials make up the restrained décor of the precious first edition.

The Melancholic Knight

The author of the masterpiece, Miguel de Cervantes (1547–1616), became one of the most significant figures in history and one of the most famous authors of all time. His story, written in Spanish and later translated into numerous languages, describes a people who do not want to accept their fate. The character Don Quixote typifies these rebellious people who are engaged in the struggle for justice in the world. Thus, the story of the “melancholic knight”, who fights against windmills and other adversaries, still has a morally instructive component. This belies the outstanding position of Don Quixote during the so-called Golden Age of Spanish literature, nay, in all Spanish literary history!