CERVANTES (Miguel de). The Principal Advantages of the Admirable Don Quixote. The Hague, Pierre de Hondt, 1746. In-4, green morocco, cold framed fillets with large gilt fleurons in the corners, geometric motif and gilt fleurons in the centre, ornate spine, gilt inner lace, double endpapers, gilt edges (Petit succ. de Simier). The finest illustrated edition of Don Quixote's masterpiece to appear in the 18th century. This luxurious publication, dedicated to the young Prince François-Xavier de Saxe, features extracts from Cervantes' novel as commentaries for the illustrations. In this respect, it is certainly the most interesting compendium of the work, foreshadowing Miguel de Unamuno's Vida de Don Quijote y Sancho. Magnificent illustration by Charles-Antoine Coypel, including a title finial, a vignette by Schley at the head of the dedication, and 31 plates hors-texte, 25 of which after Coypel, the others after Boucher, Cochin, Lebas, Picart and Trémolières, engraved by Folke, Picard, Schley and Tanjé. A very fine copy with all the figures in a fine proof edition before the issues. Dark marks and small stains on the binding, spine and corners a little rubbed. Cohen, 216 - Ray, n°60.