One of two different Spanish-language translations of Camoes’ epic poem which appeared the same year, attesting to the importance given to the text in the political atmosphere at the time. Arguably the greatest of its genre in the Portuguese language, surely one of the greatest in any language, these Spanish editions were both published during the Portuguese succession crisis, this one in Salamanca, the other at Alcalá, the year of the annexation of Portugal by Philip II of Spain. The latter supported the translation, wishing to encourage, in Spanish, the cultural influence of the newly acquired territory. Conversely, the poem became an emblem for supporters of Portuguese independence.
The Alcalá edition appeared in March, while this Salamanca edition came out in November or December—thus it is the third edition of the Lusiadas in any language—the first edi- tion appeared in Lisbon, 1572, while the second edition in Portuguese was only printed in Lisbon, 1584.
The text was translated into Spanish and other European languages many times, making Camões one of the most widely read Portuguese authors across Europe. Admired by Cervantes, he became the main character of the novel La Sigea by the writer Carolina Coronado.
For the binder José David Salema Caeiro (Lisbon, 1871-Lisbon, 1948), see Matias Lima, Encadernadores portugueses, pp. 52-8, who called him “O mais notável encadernador- dourador de todos os tempos.”
The text was translated into Spanish and other European languages many times, making Camões one of the most widely read Portuguese authors across Europe. Admired by Cervantes, he became the main character of the novel La Sigea by the writer Carolina Coronado.
Provenance: 18th century manuscript monogram on title page; bound by Caeiro in the first part of the 20th century; private collection; Christie's Paris 2023.
USTC No. 335392; Palau, t. 2, p. 27; X.M. Dasilva, “La evolución histórica de las traducciones españolas de os lusíadas”, Revista de Letras, vol. 54, no. 1, 2014, pp. 193–208.
