Privilegios da nobreza, e fidalguia de Portugal ….

Lisbon, Na Nova Officina de João Rodrigues Neves, 1806.. FIRST EDITION. 4°, contemporary crimson straight-grained morocco (only the slightest wear at some extremities), smooth spine richly gilt with olive morocco lettering piece (cracking), covers with gilt tooled border, gilt vases in corners, and large design with gilt tooled vases and urns at center, gilt tooling to edges of boards and spine, all edges gilt, marbled endleaves. A large copy, printed on thick paper of excellent quality. Overall in very fine condition. Armorial bookplate of the Condes de Bomfim; letterpress shelf location tag in upper outer corner of front pastedown endleaf. Blindstamp of Condes de Bomfim on title-page. xii, 344 [i.e. 346, with 303-4 bis] pp., (2 ll.). *** FIRST EDITION. The second and third parts, with continuous pagination, begin on pp. 211 and 289 respectively. This guide to the privileges of the nobility includes such sections as "Das officios mecanicos incompativeis com a nobreza, e destructivos de seus brilhantes privilegios" (pp. 181-9). There are separate sections on the origins and privileges of the nobility and of fidalgos and cavalleiros. Innocêncio noted that although the laws had been changed by his time, he still considered this an interesting and useful book.Provenance: Armorial bookplate ("Condes do Bomfim" appears beneath the arms); see Avelar Duarte, Ex-libris portugueses heráldicos p. 275 (nº 770). The first Conde, José Lúcio Travassos Valdez (1787-1862), served in the Peninsular Wars and was in charge of putting down both the rebellion under the Conde de Amarante in 1823 and the Miguelist insurrection in Tras-os-Montes a few years later. He was governor of Madeira and served with Costa Cabral and Rodrigo da Fonseca on the Conselho. When the Maria da Fonte movement broke out he was named commander of the government forces in the south, but having been captured in late 1846 by the Duque de Saldanha, was deported along with his two eldest sons to Angola for the duration of the war. Travassos Valdez's oldest son, José Bento Travassos Valdez, succeeded to the title. The third Conde, José Lúcio Travassos Valdez (1841-1926) was born in Luanda.*** Innocêncio V, 324; XVI, 71: calling for xii, 345 pp. and 3 pp. errata; this copy has 4 pp. errata, the first with a "Protestação" occupying the upper half. Not in Palha. NUC: ICN, DCU-IA, MiU, MH (calling for xii, 344 pp.).