THE LIFE AND EXPLOITS OF THE INGENIOUS GENTLEMAN DON QUIXOTE DE LA MANCHA. Translated from the original Spanish of Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra by Charles Jarvis, Esq.

First edition of the Jervas translation. Two volumes. Contemporary mottled calf, five raised bands, gilt decorated compartments, titles in gilt to the spine. Bound with: 'The life of Michael de Cervantes Saavedra. Written by Don Gregorio Mayáns and Sisár' (the first English translation 1738); 'A supplement to the translator's preface' more commonly know as 'A dissertation on the origin of books of chivalry' by William Warburton; 'Advertisment concerning the Prints' by John Oldfield. Illustrated with a frontispiece and 67 copper plates engraved by Gerard van der Gucht from drawings by John Vanderbank and an additional frontispiece engraved by George Virtue after a drawing by G. Kent. Decorative head and tail pieces and initial letters. The bindings are square and firm with minor surface wear to the boards and corners. The original spines laid down and refurbished at the joints and tips. The contents, with near paper strengthening to the inner hinge of volume I, light browning to the margins and a short closed tear to the fore-edge of one plate, are otherwise in good order throughout.

An attractive example of the first edition of this esteemed translation. Jervas (1675-1739), consistently misspelled on editions of his translation as 'Jarvis', was a portrait painter and translator. "Jervas entered the literary circle of Addison, Pope, and Swift, setting up his home and studio in London in Cleveland Court, Westminster. He was hailed by Richard Steele in The Tatler of 16 April 1709 a 'the last great painter Italy has sent to us'... As well as literary friends, Jervas also had an influential patron in the prime minister Sir Robert Walpole. Jervas played an important role in acquiring works of art for Walpole's ever expanding collection, as well as contributing his own portraits... His major literary undertaking was an English translation of Cervantes' Don Quixote. Published posthumously in 1742 and frequently reprinted, it is generally acknowledged as being close in spirit to the original" – ODNB. (ESTC T59882; ESTC T98502)