Chronicle of the Cid
London: Longman, Hurst, Rees, and Orme, 1808. First Edition. Hardcover. 1st edition in English (the 1st prose version in any language) of the great Spanish, realist epic, recounting the heroic life of El Cid (Rodrigo Diaz de Vivar, 1040–1099). Original boards and paper label, uncut, and unrepaired. A small scar to the front boardelse an amazing copy, in near fine condition, the binding sound, the text clean, and most important, it has never been touched by little fix it hands, and it’s complete with both half–titles, the notes, the errata leaf with its ads on the back and the engraved map of Iberia (a light stain to 1 corner), and rare like this, and we think it may prove to be the finest copy in the world (if you like that sort of thing). 3 other copies have sold at auction since 1975, all 3 rebound, but it’s not that scarce, unless it’s like our copy, unrepaired and unworn in boards and label. And here’s a flash. El Cid’s sword (he named it Tizona), still exists, and now resides in Castile at the Museo de Burgos for all to see. Near fine. Item #735
A thorough rendering, describing the 11th century deeds of the factual Castilian warrior known as El Cid, during the period of the Reconquista that took back northern Spain from the Moors. Its source was the medieval saga, Poema del Cid (Cantar del Mio Cid), written in about 1140 as a metrical history by an unknown poet (the Homer of Spain) with the earliest known surviving manuscript, dating from 1207, preserved at Vivar, and first published by Tomas Sanchez in 1779. Our book is the prose version, acclaimed around the world, and not amalgamated or fully realized in a previous edition in any language. It’s partly taken from the 1552 Spanish, Chronica del Famoso Cavallero Cid Ruydiez Compeador (based on a 13th century manuscript), partly from the 1604 La Cronica General de Espana, and partly from Corneille’s 1637 French play, Le Cid, as well as other sources. It’s also the primary source for the long, lavish, 1961 film, starring Sophia Loren and Charlton Heston, nominated for 3 Academy awards in more innocent days of yore before millions of viewers tuned in to the Oscars to gleefully watch the rich, the vain, and the beautiful squirm, and then react to not winning, in merciless, unflinching close ups.
Price:
$3,000.00