Coelho, Fr. Simão | First and only edition of this Carmelite chronicle—the Duke of Lafões copy

Coelho, Fr. Simão

Compendio das Chronicas da Ordem de Nossa Senhora do Carmo. [Lisbon]: Per Antonio Gonçalvez, 1572

Folio (275 x 185 mm). Title in woodcut border, final leaf with woodcut of Carmelite arms, text in two columns, woodcut initials and tailpieces; short open tear to title page affecting a few letters without loss, library stamp offset to title page, dampstaining predominately to first few gatherings, minor worming at fore-edge, and a few holes throughout. Full eighteenth-century mottled sheepskin, spine in six compartments, second with gilt red morocco lettering piece, others with repeat decoration in gilt, edges stained red, marbled endpapers; boards lightly rubbed with wear at extremities, some scuffing and minor worming to joints, pencil notations to lower endpaper.

First and only edition of this Carmelite chronicle—the Duke of Lafões's copy.

The Carmelite Order made its way through Europe in the 14th century, distinguishing itself from other orders by the influence of prophet Elijah. By the 1580s, the Order's popularity had far surpassed any other religious orders in Portugal with the exception of the Franciscans and Jesuits. The Compedio das Chronicas surveys the history of the Order in Portugal while offering precepts and ways of living.

REFERENCES

Anselmo 695; Azevedo-Samodães 787; Barbosa Machado III, 713; British Museum, Pre-1601 Spanish/Portuguese STC (1966), p. 132; Pinto de Mattos (1970) p. 179; Innocêncio VII, 275; King Manuel 135; Palha 2502; not in Adams

PROVENANCE

Duke of Lafões (library stamp to verso of title page, and first leaf of main text)