A Unique Edition Created by Galobart Limited Editions
One of the most coveted and enigmatic works in the history of literature is, without a doubt, the manuscript of Don Quixote. A lost book, which this edition attempts to reconstruct as it might have been.
We are undertaking an unprecedented project: recreating the original manuscript of Don Quixote, written by Miguel de Cervantes himself. The whereabouts of this manuscript remain one of the great mysteries of world literature to this day.
Our edition stems from the desire to bring contemporary readers closer to this lost mystery. Using philological research, calligraphic analysis, historical documentation, and advanced digital technology, we have made a plausible reconstruction of Cervantes's manuscript. It is a rigorous, honest, and deeply respectful rendering of the original and its time.
Based on the first edition printed by Juan de la Cuesta in 1604, this recreation reveals the traces of Cervantes's writing and editing process through misprints, irregularities, and contradictions. Every stroke and "error" reveals the haste, doubts, and genius of an author who changed the course of literary history.
The study also includes a detailed analysis of the few remaining autograph documents of Cervantes. Thanks to these documents, we have been able to reconstruct his spelling, calligraphy, and handwriting style, moving away from modern idealizations and presenting readers with the authentic texture of the Golden Age.
This project confirms another fascinating fact: Don Quixote was read before its publication. Contemporary accounts, such as Lope de Vega's from 1604, prove that the manuscript circulated among literary circles before being published, providing an unprecedented glimpse into the work's initial reception.
This edition sheds light on the ins and outs of Cervantes's publishing process, including the licenses granted by the Council of Castile, the proofreaders and copyists involved, and the "original" manuscript intended for publication, which differed from Cervantes's autograph. Understanding this journey—from the author's desk to the press—is understanding the genesis of Don Quixote itself.
The “B” in CERBANTES
Also noteworthy is the change from “b” to “v” in the surname Cervantes. This confusion was likely due to an oversight by someone in the publishing world when requesting permission from the Council of Castile to print the book. In that document, Miguel de "Cervantes" is mentioned, yet the novelist always signed as "Cerbantes." This error may have led to the author being referred to as "Cervantes" in all official documents (the permit, tax documents, cover, etc.) from then on. However, this is not the case in the interior pages. In chapter VI, the novelist is referred to as "Miguel de Cerbantes," and we have respected this in this edition.
Every material detail has been carefully recreated, from the type of paper and watermarks to the ink, texture, and aging of the medium. Every aspect has been meticulously examined to provide an unparalleled visual and tactile experience, transporting readers to the dawn of the seventeenth century.
This deluxe edition is a tribute not only to Cervantes, but also to the power of the written word. It is an invitation to relive the moment when the genius first put pen to paper to recount the adventures of the Knight of the Sad Countenance.
It is a unique project in the world.
It is a bridge between past and present.
This work is intended for lovers of Cervantes, the history of books, and great literary mysteries.
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