[Patent of nobility] Carta executoria de hidalguia for Francisco de los Olivos, Granada, 1597, printed on vellum, contemporary Granada plateresque binding

Folio (312 x 219 mm), printed on vellum using the types of Sebastián de Mena, 86 leaves (last two blanks), 26 lines, each page surrounded by simple golden frame; 18 attractive woodcut initials illuminated in gold and colours showing various heraldic beasts and mythical creatures; text preceeded by four full-page paintings protected by delicate contemporary red silk guards, f. 1r containing rich and vibrant emblazoned coat of arms with liberal use of gold bearing the eponymous olive trees, f. 2r portraying a curxifixon scene showing the grantee with his wife and two sons kneeling either side of the crucified Christ on the Cross before a large city, the scene is surrounded by impressive Flemish inspired border enlivened by carnations, roses, birds, and beetles; f. 3r showing Saint James at the mythical Battle of Clavijo wearing a billowing cloak on rearing horse his sword drawn, two fallen Muslim soldiers on the ground, the martial scene is set within a border of trophies and military regalia, below crie de guerre "POR LA GRACIA DE DIOS"; f. 3v lavish coat of arms in silver cartouche surrounded by Greek inspired elements and symbols of abundance and prosperity at the bottom title "REY DE CASTILLA"; first text page f. 4r set within illuminated border, decorated with gold arabesques on royal-blue ground; f. 83r very fine portrait of Spanish King Philip II elegantly dressed in black wearing a gold chain of the order of the golden fleece surrounded by Flemish inspired border full of flowers and beetles (likely different artist from the preceding illuminations); f. 83r printed year with day and month filled in by hand, below various signs and attestations, continued on f. 83v.

binding: Contemporary Granada binding (322 x 224 mm), dark green goatskin over wooden boards, profusely gilt to a plateresque design, outer border of double-C-shaped tools adorned with arabesque, inner roll of birds, a hound, a snail, etc., in centre of main panel the Agnus Dei in a quadrilobe surrounded by C-shaped ornaments, stars, lions, birds, etc., traces of 4 pairs of red silk ties, spine with 4 bands, compartments gilt with small tools, gilt edges, in a lined cloth case. (Boards rubbed and scraped, some worming, lower board bowed.)

provenance: Christie's, New York, 11 June 1982, lot 89—Swann Galleries, Rare books, autographs, manuscripts, New York, 19 October 1989, lot 51—Martin Breslauer Inc., New York, Catalogue 110, [1992], item 66; Catalogue 111, [1994], no. 105—Christie's, London, 1 May 1996, lot 32. acquisition: Purchased in 1997 from Martin Breslauer Inc., New York. references: Probably unique, not in Van Praet or Alston.