François Raymond Joseph de Pons (1751–1812) was archivist for the French Navy. This work also appeared in English, German, and Spanish editions; this is its first edition, and the sole French edition.

Provenance: Engraved armorial bookplates of Thomas Munro on front pastedowns. Unattributed note in pencil in top margin of half-title of vol. I (repeated in substance in the other volumes): “This was Talleyrand’s copy.”

the premiere of this one, as unknown as that one is famous, is stirring to visualize.

That Bello wrote this patriotic song is known, and even the first few lines were recorded for history, but beyond that the text is not recorded and is not found in his Obras completas or, apparently anywhere else.

In addition to the historic collaboration of Bello and Carreño, this fabulous document has the distinction of having been printed by Venezuela’s first press, that of Gallagher and Lamb, which only arrived in Caracas in October of 1808, and was almost certainly printed on 24 April, the day after the hymn was first sung!

Very Rare.  This broadside was unknown to both Medina and Pedro Grases. Searches of NUC, OCLC, and RLIN fail to find any copy at all, as is the case when searching the OPACs of the national libraries of Venezuela, Colombia, Spain, France, and England.

•  Not in Medina, Caracas; not in Grases, Historia de la imprenta en Venezuela; not in Villasana. As issued. Worming in foremargin, repaired. A very good copy.

•  Darlow & Moule 6985. Recent full morocco framed in gilt double fillets, spine with gilt-ruled raised bands and gilt-stamped title, signed by Grace Bindings in blind at inner area of rear cover, lower turn-in. Pages age-toned and paper a bit brittle; one leaf with short tear from outer margin, extending into text.

Bearing signatures, among others, of Pedro Buitrago, Narciso Dulón, Eusebio Gutiérrez, M. de la Cruz Méndez, José M. Dalence, and Manuel Sagarnaga.

•  Very good condition. Two small tears at folds, not affecting text.

In all, an interesting sampling of the types of decrees that the kings and queens of Portugal issued in order to maintain order and discipline in the ever-increasingly important colony of Brazil. The value of the documents sold individually totals $6325.00, and the collection price represents a savings of above 20%.

•  The vast bulk of these decrees are bound in faux morocco and faux mottled calf; those that are in wrappers or as issued are carefully noted. All are in very good condition.

•  Not in Palau. Original yellow printed wrappers, removed from a nonce volume with stab holes in the inner margins; inside wrappers with a short closed tear and a little shallow chipping, light soiling and a few stray marks. Fold mark down the center and traces of soiling on the top edges.