Lapidario del Rey D. Alfonso X. Códice original
Madrid: Imprenta de La Iberia, á cargo de J. Blasco, 1881. Facsimile [1st Thus]. An 1881 facsimile of a 13th century medieval manuscript. Translated from the Arabic to early Spanish at the commission of King Alfonso X of Castile and by a Jewish scholar, Yehuda ben Moshe. This represents one of the earliest examples of Spanish being used in the writing of manuscripts rather than Latin or Arabic. Regarding many topics including the magical properties of stones and talismans, astronomy, and philosophy. Complete with prologue, facsimile letters dated to 1883, complete Lapidario in 236 actual sized color prints on strong paper, a second manuscript in 28 actual sized color prints on strong paper, and 76 pages of contemporary to the facsimile writings. The dates of the letters leads me to believe that this book was compiled after the initial run of the facsimile with the additional letters and manuscript added - I am unable to locate another copy stating that these pieces are present. Bound in brown buckram with a brown cloth spine. Paper label containing the title on spine along with a cataloguing number on bottom, likely ex-library. Pasted description on front pastedown reads: "The Translation of the Celebrated Arabic Book was made in MS. by order of King Alfonso X, in the year 1276, an exact facsimile of this splendid specimen of 13th century art reproduced in color, with 353 beautiful initial letters, 18 other full-page and smaller illuminations, and 340 head-and-tail pieces, with Introductory History and Transcript of the Text." All pages present, some weakness at spine to some pages, but all remain bound. Some scuffing to covers and rounding of corners. An exceptional and complete facsimile of one of the most important early commissions in Spanish and of medieval art.
Pages: (20) (12) 236, 28, 76 Dimensions: 12⅜ x 9⅛ x 1½. Good+. Item #4680
Price: $2,000.00