Vida y hechos del ingenioso cavallero don Quixote de la Mancha. Nueva edicion, coregida y ilustrada con differentes estampas muy donosas, y apropriadas a la materia de Cervantes Saavedra, Miguel de - 1662-1697: First illustrated edition of the Quijote in Spanish

First Spanish illustrated edition of Don Quijote, Cervantes' magnum opus and one of the most influential literary works of all times.

First edition of the first part (1662), and second of the second part (1697), virtually identical to the first edition. According to Palau the printed text of the edition of 1697 is the same as the edition of 1662 but issued with a slightly altered title page. Although previous editions had illustrated title pages, properly speaking the first illustrated edition of the Quijote is the Dutch edition of 1657. The engravings of the first part of this 1662 edition are not signed and are generally attributed to Frederick Bouttats and are for the most part copies of the designs of Jacques Savery for the Dutch edition of 1657. The first part contains 8 plates, the second part, here in the 1697 edition, contains 16 plates, 8 of which are the same as those of the 1662 edition. It has, therefore, 8 more plates than the 1662 edition, making a total in the two volumes of 24 plates plus the two engraved frontispieces.

The Quijote is arguably the most influential literary work written in Spanish, considered the first modern novel, it transcends language, and sits amongst a few others as the masterpieces of world literature; Cervantes' magnum opus speaks of a man so consumed by the reading of old chivalry romantic texts that he confuses reality with fantasy, becoming a knight-errant with the mission of medieval chivalry ideals.

Of the 1697 edition, Palau says "Esta tirade continua a plana y renglon el texto de 1662".

Of the 1662 edition, H. E. Watts (Cf. Engravings for Don Quixote, 1662-1669, p.4) says: "This edition has the further distinction of being the first which was 'embellished' with plates."

Palau 51993 & 52000; Peeters-Fontainas 232.