Galatée, roman pastoral; imité de Cervantes ….

Paris, De l'Imprimerie du Didot l'ainé, 1783.. FIRST EDITION. 8°, contemporary crimson morocco (only very slight wear to two corners), smooth spine gilt, covers richly gilt, marbled endleaves, all text block edges gilt. In very fine condition. 198 pp., 7 engraved plates. *** FIRST EDITION. "Jean Pierre Claris de Florián, que fué un enamorado de Cervantes, redujo los seis libros de la Galatea a tres y añadió un quarto de su invención. Su libro más bien que traducción es un arregio, pero un arregio que gustó y por más que nos sorprenda, el arregio de Florián encajó más en los gustos de su época que el texto castizo de Cervantes."—Palau, who cites a total of 22 editions. Florián (1755-1794), French poet, novelist and fabulist, was bilingual in French and Spanish, his mother having been Spanish. Very fond of Spain and its literature, no doubt owing to the influence of his Castilian mother, he translated into French, adapted, abridged and imitated works of Cervantes. In 1788 he became a member of the Académie française. A nephew of the Marquis of Florian, at the outbreak of the French Revolution he retired to Sceaux, but he was soon discovered and imprisoned; though Robespierre's death spared him, he died a few months later still in prison.The seven finely executed engraved plates are by J.B. Gayand after designs by J. Flouest.*** Palau 51955 (citing a copy sold at the Hotel Drouot in 1928). Rius, Bibliografia critica de la obras de Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, II, 544; for more on Forián, see III, 211-2. Givanel i Mas, Cataleg de la colleccio cervantica formada per D. Isidro Bonsoms i Sicart, i cedidad per ell a la Biblioteca de Catalunya 329.