An attractive copy in a handsome binding, of Jean Maugin’s translation of this anonymous, and extremely popular, Castilian chivalric romance. First published in Salamanca in 1511, Maugin’s translation into French was the first, printed in Paris in 1546. It subsequently became the source for the English edition by Anthony Munday, published in 1588; along with French and English, Palmerín de Oliva was also translated into Dutch, German and Italian.
The tale follows the chivalric exploits and loves of Palmerin d’Olive, so-called due to being discovered, as a baby, on ‘Olive’ mountain amongst palms and olive trees. The illegitimate son of Prince Florendos of Macedonia and Princess Griana of Constantinople, Palmerin is raised by the beekeeper who discovered him and proceeds to adventure in Macedonia, Germany and Babylon, before eventually ascending to the imperial throne of Constantinople. The present work was the first in the Palmerin cycle, which consisted of eight books. In Don Quixote, while Palmerin D’Olive is consigned to the flames by the curate and the barber, the sixth book, Palmerin of England, is saved.
A critical edition of Munday’s English translation was published as recently as 2020.
Washed, occasional spotting, but overall lovely condition.
Brunet IV, 331.
[OCLC: UK: BL only. US: Yale, Grinnell College, University of Pennsylvania]..
