RADES Y ANDRADA (Francisco de). - Lot 117

RADES Y ANDRADA (Francisco de). Chronica de las tres Ordenes y Cavallerias de Sanctiago, [...]. Toledo, Juan de Ayala, 1572. In-folio, shagreened basane, spine decorated with gilt fillets and a palette at the end, red title page (18th-century Spanish binding). First edition, dedicated to King Philip II (Perez Pastor, La Imprenta en Toledo, no. 332). A celebrated chronicle of the historical and military deeds of Spain's prestigious orders of chivalry, by Toledo-born historian Francisco de Rades y Andrada (d. 1599). The work, based on original documents and archives, has often been used in Spanish literature; we know, for example, that Lope de Vegas drew inspiration from it for his famous play Fuenteovejuna. The title, adorned with the great coat of arms of Spain, is set in a frame of four woodcut borders decorated with grotesques. Text printed on two columns, embellished with handsome ornate lettering. Some foxing, wetness on a few leaves at the beginning and end of the volume.