[EL INGENIOSO HIDALGO DON QUIXOTE DE LA MANCHA.] Don Quijote de la Mancha Facsímil de la Primera Impresión Según la Edición Príncipe de Juan de la Cuesta, Madrid, 1605, Seuida de los Dos Pasajes Que Omite Cervantes Miguel De

2 volumes. THE FINE FACSIMILE OF THE 1605 FIRST PRINTING OF DON QUIXOTE. LIMITED EDITION, one of only 750 numbered copies, printed on paper specially manufactured by Guarro, bearing the watermark of each of the three editors. This being one of the 717 copies numbered in Arabic and with subscriber's printed name. Beautifully reproduced text from the first edition, including the two handsomely engraved original title-pages and fine large initials. Quarto, publisher's original full parchment, the spines with two raised bands, lettered in gilt, marbled endpapers. [12ff], 312ff, [16ff]; [9ff] 280ff [12ff]. An especially fine set, the text is essentially pristine and appears as mint and pristine, the soft parchment bindings are very handsome and sturdy, sound and fresh and in beautiful condition with just the slightest evidence of age. THE IMPRESSIVE FACSIMILE OF THE RARE FIRST EDITION OF ONE OF THE GREATEST WORKS OF WORLD LITERATURE. The text is photographically reproduced on fine handmade paper from a first edition copy printed by Juan de la Cuesta in 1605. The two passages omitted from the first edition are included here from the third edition, printed by that same printer in 1608. DON QUIXOTE ranks among the greatest literary works of Western Civilization. "What had begun as a simple satire on the tedious chivalric romances of the time broadened into a sweeping panorama of Spanish society. It was for this, the liveliness, and the gibes at the famous, which won it instant fame. Its larger claims, the subdued pathos, its universal humanity, were slower to be appreciated. But within months Don Quixote and Sancho Panza had become legendary.Don Quixote is one of those universal works which are read by all ages at all times, and there are very few who have not at one time or another felt themselves to be Don Quixote confronting the windmills." (PMM).