DON QUIXOTE DE LA MANCHA

London: T. Cadell and W. Davies, 1818. First Edition with Smirke Plates. 222 x 137 mm. (8 3/4 x 5 3/8"). Four volumes. Translated by Mary Smirke.
Attractive contemporary purple straight-grain morocco, gilt, covers framed by gilt rules with leafy cornerpieces, raised bands, spine panels with central ornament and small leaf tools at corners, gilt lettering, marbled endpapers, top edges gilt, other edges untrimmed. With a total of 48 engravings (24 plates and 26 vignettes) after Robert Smirke. Front pastedown with engraved armorial bookplate of James Walter. Lowndes I, 401. ◆Bindings with just a little rubbing, occasional light yellowing to margins, minor offsetting from engravings, one plate with short tear to margin, but an excellent set, clean and fresh throughout, in pleasing bindings.

This is an attractive copy of an esteemed edition of "Don Quixote," illustrated and translated by a father and daughter team. Robert Smirke (1753-1845) was a member of the Royal Academy and renowned for his paintings inspired by great literature. According to DNB, "Smirke mostly painted in oil or in grisaille and he frequently produced works on a small format to facilitate their reproduction as engravings. His style is notable for its flowing, refined drawing, and his use of characterization is typically expressive, revealing playful humour or drama." His daughter Mary (1779-1853), an accomplished artist herself, was also skilled with languages and produced the present translation to accompany her father's illustrations. In addition to being faithfully translated and well illustrated, our set looks handsome on the shelf..