Lot 85: CHARLES V – The New Laws of the Indies for the Good Treatment and Preservat

CHARLES V – The New Laws of the Indies for the Good Treatment and Preservation of the Indians. Edited by Henry Stevens and Fred Lucas. London: Chiswick Press, 1893. One of just thirteen copies printed on vellum, in a handsome cuirciselé binding. Charles V enacted his controversial Leyes Nuevas protecting the rights of native Mexicans partially in response to the advocacy of Bartolomé de las Casas, the frst Bishop of Chiapas. This fne deluxe facsimile of the original Spanish printing includes a lengthy introduction and an English translation. Folio (318-214mm). Printed on vellum. Illustrations throughout. Olive morocco cuir-ciselé binding with inlay in brown leather depicting Native Americans by W. Pratt, silk doublures, edges gilt; in a custom case. Provenance: Sotheby’s, 13 March 1950, lot 205.