{"product_id":"paperblanks-cervantes-letter-to-the-king-midi-hardback-journal-lined-144-pages-pb7221-8","title":"Paperblanks Cervantes, Letter to the King Midi Hardback Journal – Lined, 144 Pages","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCapture your ideas, plans and memories in this Cervantes, Letter to the King midi hardback journal from Paperblanks, with 144 lined pages of 120 gsm acid-free paper.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eMiguel de Cervantes Saavedra is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the Spanish language. His best-known novel, \u003cem\u003eDon Quixote,\u003c\/em\u003e is a classic of Western literature. We are honoured to be able to share a handwritten letter he wrote to the Spanish king requesting permission to publish his great work as this cover design.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eThe Story Behind the Design\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eMiguel de Cervantes Saavedra (1547–1616) is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the Spanish language and admired as one of the world’s preeminent novelists. His best-known novel, \u003cem\u003eDon Quixote,\u003c\/em\u003e has been translated into over 140 languages and dialects, making it, after the Bible, the most translated book in the world.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBorn in Spain, Cervantes was forced into exile in 1569 and relocated to Rome, where he worked as chamber assistant to a Catholic cardinal. There he surrounded himself with Renaissance art, architecture and poetry – all influences that can be seen in his later work. In Rome, he enlisted as a soldier in the Spanish Navy and continued his duties until being captured by Barbary pirates in 1575. After five years in captivity, he was released on ransom and returned to his family in Madrid.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThere is little doubt that Cervantes’ own adventures greatly inspired the intrepid quest of \u003cem\u003eThe Ingenious Gentleman Sir Quixote of La Mancha\u003c\/em\u003e or, more simply, \u003cem\u003eDon Quixote.\u003c\/em\u003e The two-part novel tells the adventures of nobleman Alonso Quixote, who loses his sanity after reading too many knightly romances and undertakes to revive a sense of chivalry in his country. The novel gives the original meaning to the term “quixotic” – Don Quixote’s quest is perhaps unrealistic and impractical, but admiringly idealistic.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn fact, the adventure wasn’t over for Don Quixote when the story ended. Perhaps eager to avoid any setbacks in publishing his great work, Cervantes wrote to the king requesting permission to publish, yet that process was just as much of an ordeal for Cervantes as was writing the original work. \u003cem\u003eDon Quixote, Part I\u003c\/em\u003e was published in Europe by bookseller Francisco de Robles in early 1605, with 400 first edition copies sent off to the Americas in hopes of securing a publishing deal in the New World. Few books survived the trip, as many were sunk in a shipwreck near Havana while the rest fell into the hands of pirates – who issued their own derivative editions without paying royalties to Cervantes.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA Western literature classic, \u003cem\u003eDon Quixote\u003c\/em\u003e is considered the first modern novel and, to many, the greatest work of fiction ever written. Certainly to the people of Spain and Spanish speakers around the world, Cervantes’ influence has been so great that the language itself is often called “la lengua de Cervantes.” Many – if not all – of Cervantes’ original manuscripts are now lost, so we are honoured to be able to share this handwriting sample, from the letter he wrote to the king, on this journal cover.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOriginal artwork:\u003c\/strong\u003e Letter handwritten by Cervantes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEra:\u003c\/strong\u003e Early 1600s\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRegion:\u003c\/strong\u003e Spain\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003eProduct Details\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSize:\u003c\/strong\u003e Midi – 125 × 180 × 20 mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eInterior:\u003c\/strong\u003e Lined\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePages:\u003c\/strong\u003e 144 (72 sheets)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePaper:\u003c\/strong\u003e 120 gsm acid-free cream laid paper\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCover:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hardback\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eClosure:\u003c\/strong\u003e Wrap closure with hidden magnets\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBinding:\u003c\/strong\u003e Smyth sewn – lies flat and stays durable\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCorners:\u003c\/strong\u003e Square\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePouch:\u003c\/strong\u003e Memento pouch\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDesign:\u003c\/strong\u003e Cervantes, Letter to the King\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSeries:\u003c\/strong\u003e Embellished Manuscripts Collection\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSatin ribbon marker\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e100% recycled binder boards\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDecorative printed cover paper\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEndpaper with credit and copyright information as well as historical background for the original artwork\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThreaded stitching and glue, as needed\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAcid-free paper\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMemento pouch\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 330 g\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eProduct code:\u003c\/strong\u003e PB7221-8 | \u003cstrong\u003eISBN:\u003c\/strong\u003e 9781439772218\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003eAbout Paperblanks\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003ePaperblanks works with museums, libraries, galleries and artists around the world to faithfully reproduce remarkable artwork, historic bindings and treasured manuscripts. Every book is made to last, with binder boards crafted from 100% recycled materials, and the back endpaper tells the fascinating story behind the cover design and credits its creators.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Paperblanks","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54386208440648,"sku":"PB7221-8","price":17.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0920\/5114\/5032\/files\/9781439772218_AngleHighRes.png?v=1792779723","url":"https:\/\/shop.penandpaper.co.uk\/products\/paperblanks-cervantes-letter-to-the-king-midi-hardback-journal-lined-144-pages-pb7221-8","provider":"The Pen and Paper Stationery Company","version":"1.0","type":"link"}