Mallorca

ref. 3867 — Extremely rare first and sole edition of this Mallorcan festival book commemorating the festivities held in Palma on the occasion of Charles IV's accession to the throne. The description with its careful lists of the noblemen involved constitutes a snapshot of Mallorcan society at the end of the eighteenth century. The work is illustrated with two plates one a plan of the central square with the arrangement of ephemeral architecture and decorations the other a very large plate 49.5 x 33 cm overall 42.5 x 32 cm to platemark depicting the triumphal arc erected in honor of the new sovereign with his arms above those of Palma de Mallorca.The author estimates that between 34000 and 38000 citizens took part in the celebration with gentlemen on horseback dressed à la española antigua and ladies in such splendid finery that it "filled the spirit with extasty." B2r The central square was festively decorated with and portraits of the king and queen to which the assembled paid solemn respects.Mallorca had seen a growth in trade and prosperity under Charles III thanks to his policies of liberalizing trade with America. Churches and monasteries were brought under the aegis of the Spanish crown and the first postal service was created. The accession of his famously weak son at the very time of revolutionary unrest in France would have been a source of worry.Although printing began on Mallorca in the late sixteenth century work with the Palma imprint are rarely seen on the market.OCLC lists a single copy University of ConnecticutPalau II.35402;. 4to. 10 ff. with two folding plates. Bound in contemporary patterned wrappers in turn bound in modern quarter calf and marbled papers over boards. Ownership inscription of the Marquesa Axiany . Some bleeding of ownership inscription onto title but otherwise very good with good strikes of the plates. hardcover