D. Joaquin Maria de Ferrer, Imp. by Julio Didot Mayor, 1832. A lovely copy of this miniature edition. Contemporary brown leather Simier of Paris signed Cathedral Binding, with profuse gilt decoration and armourial crest to the boards. Gilt design, titles and windmill to the spines. This binding is identical to one part of the British Library Charles Ramsden Collection of Signed Bindings. (See BL Shelfmark c150k11) A little rubbing to the bindings, with slight loss of gilt, but overall, in excellent condition. The hinges have been professionally restored at some point, in a way that is barely noticeable. Marbled end papers. Illustrated with 11 plates engraved by E Stalker (including Frontis) and a folding hand coloured map. Complete. Half title to each volume, and an engraved title on glossy paper, and a second engraved title. Vol. 1 has a frontispiece portrait of Cervantes, (portrait of Cervantes engraved by E. Stalker after José del Castillo's design). and 5 engraved plates. It ends with the beautiful miniature hand coloured map, showing Don Quixote's travels. Volume 2 offers 5 engraved plates. Inside, the books are in very good condition, but with a little darkening and moderate foxing to the pages. Still a very nice copy. This was the second edition of Don Quijote by Ferrer. The first was in one volume, this edition allowed better line spacing, and two extra plates. Originally issued in paper wrappers, this luxurious binding adds greatly to the attractiveness of this work. Nb. Many sources quote STAKKER as the engraver, but a close look at the engravings shows that it is E. Stalker. Christie's commented in a recent auction that Ferrer was a great admirer of Cervantes and paid 30,000 francs in order to produce the first edition in miniature which includes his dedication to Cervantes after the title page. Collation: XX, 352, [ii], Map., XII, 378 pages. 125 x 80 mm (5 x 3¼ inches). Palau, 25059; Rius, 89; Suñé, 96; Quixotes collector's manual, no. 41.1

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