Reales Ordenanzas para la direccion, Regimen y Gobierno del Importante cuerpo de la Mineria de Nueva-Espana, y de su Real Tribunal General. De orden de su Magestad.
Madrid: n.p., 1783. [2 lvs], xlvi, 214 pp. Illus. with an engraving by Joaquin Fabregat of the Spanish arms and depicting mining implements. Folio. Full contemporary cat's paw vellum. First edition. Boards worn with some loss to the tail of the spine hinges split though firm, dampstained along bottom edge, some ink smudges especially to edges of frontispiece, section titles in manuscript on each page, otherwise contents quite sharp, and overall about very good. Sabin 56260. Palau 203088 & 251937. Medina BHA V: 5040. Maffei/Figueroa Bibl. Esp. Minerales. Item #44308
Signed in ink with Galvez' paraph under his printed name. First edition of this "rare and valuable compendium of the old mining laws and mineral customs, printed only for the use of the parties concerned," (Sabin) and meant to govern the workings of silver mining in New Spain. Galvez was a special Minister of the Indies who was instructed to reform the mining laws of Mexico. In this work, which could only be owned by Spanish-born miners, he not only transcribed all the royal decrees concerning mining in New Spain but also provided information concerning mining operations, training, discovery of new mines, and technology and governance. Signed in manuscript with his rubric attesting to the accuracy of the copy. Further editions were published in 1785/6 in Lima (both folio and quarto) and in Santiago in 1833.
Price: $2,500.00