First edition of this fine set of lithographs by João Palhares (1819-1891) illustrating costumes and professions of Portugal in the 19th century, this is the largest number of plates recorded, other examples known contain 40 plates, as established by Henrique de Campos Ferreira, who names this as the Primera Coleccion Palhares. According to Ferreira the collection is composed of 4 additional plates (41-44), printed at the lithography of Arco de Bandeira, and Canongia, this copy has 2 additional plates to those (45-46) by Castro, thus making it the largest known copy. Palhares made two series of plates, both without title or text, they are known as “primera serie Palhares” and “segunda serie Palhares”, the first series -this one- was published c.1850, and is generally considered to be complete with 40 plates. A second series was published later, c.1860, and sets vary from 50 to 60 plates, they are somewhat simpler and the lithographer is T. da Palha.
“Interessantes gravuras da autoria do artista português João Palhares, representando trajes, costumes, hábitos e profissões do Portugal novecentista. Trata-se de mais um valioso contributo histórico e etnográfico que nos permite ficar a conhecer um pouco mais acerca da constituição da sociedade portuguesa no século XIX, bem como a sua respectiva evolução” (BNP).
Provenance: Annibal Fernandez Thomas, engraved bookplate on front pastedown; manuscript index of plates naming all 46 plates, near contemporary.
According to OCLC only the second series, held at Brown, is located.
Campos Ferreira, Costumes portuguêses: ensaio bibliographico. Lisboa, 1917, p. 25 e 26.
