First edition of this fine set of lithographs by João Palhares (1819-1891), illustrating costumes and professions of Portugal in the 19th century. This is the largest collection of plates by Palhares that has been recorded. Other examples known contain 40 plates, as established by Henrique de Campos Ferreira Lima, who names the present collection as the "primera coleccion Palhares". It is very rare, as it has not appeared on the market in the last 100 years and is not present in any libraries.
Palhares made two series of plates, both without title or text. They are known as "primera serie Palhares" and "segunda serie Palhares". The first series was published in ca. 1850, and is generally considered to be complete with 40 plates. A second series was published later, around 1860, and usually contains between 50 and 60 plates. The lithographs are simpler than those in the first series and made by a different lithographer. The present copy is the first series. According to Ferreira Lima, the collection is composed of 4 additional plates (41-44), printed at the lithography of Arco de Bandeira, and Canongia. However, the present copy has 2 additional plates to those (45-46) by Castro, thus making it the largest known collection.
The present work contians the bookplate, and thus was previously part of the collection, of Annibal Fernandes Thomaz (or Aníbal Fernandes Tomás, 1849-1911), a Portuguese writer, government official, and distinguished bibliophile. He collected and wrote about works concerning Portuguese engravers, engraved and lithographed portraits, bookplates, and more. His library was sold at auction in 1912.
With the bookplate of Annibal Fernandes Thomaz mounted on the front pastedown, and two round labels with shelfmarks mounted above. Further with a near-contemporary manuscript table of contents added in the back of the work, and a rectangular label with a number mounted on the back pastedown. The edges and corners of the boards are scuffed, with some loss of material at the head and foot of the spine, a horizontal tear on the buckram near the foot of the spine, but the buckram is still attached, the joints are slightly weakened near the head and foot of the spine, the paper on the sides has been rubbed, showing the boards underneath. Lacking the first flyleaf, the work is somewhat browned throughout, with a restored tear on plate 13. Otherwise in good condition. Campos Ferreira Lima, H. de, Costumes portuguêses: ensaio bibliographico. Lisboa, 1917, pp. 25 and 26.