Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor

2 leaves, folio (323 x 222mm.), manuscript on vellum, first leaf with decorated initial and heading ("Don Carlos"), coloured coat of arms on verso, countersigned by Francisco de los Covos (secretary to the king) and others (including the bishop of Osma), contemporary Spanish binding of calf tooled in gilt and blind, numerous blank flyleaves, remains of yellow silk ties, coloured silk page markers, second leaf defective at foredge (not affecting Charles's signature) with loss of some words of text (supplied in early manuscript), binding very rubbed and wormed

Cedulario heráldico de conquistadores de Nueva España (Mexico, 1933)

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

A GRANT OF ARMS TO ONE OF THE CONQUISTADORS OF MEXICO.

Bernardino Vázquez de Tapia (1493-1559) was a Spanish conquistador involved in the early conquest of Mexico; he travelled there with Cortes in 1518-1522, by the end of which the Aztec Empire had been conquered. He wrote an account of the conquest in his Relación de méritos y servicios (1542) which was an argument against the king's changes to the encomienda system which prevailed in New Spain, in which the Indian natives were able to retain possession of their lands but would be beholden to one of the Spanish settlers to whom they would provide tribute and labour. The system was challenged by the New Laws of 1542 which sought to limit the holding of encomiendas for two generations, rather than in perpetuity.

This document describes Tapia's journey with Pedrarias Davila to the land called "Castilla del Oro" in New Spain, involving "el descubrimiento, conquista, pacificacion, é poblacion de la dicha terra", and the discovery of the island of Cozumel, that he went in great danger of death, and that in the taking of Moctezuma he acted as a loyal subject of his king. There are several mentions of Hernán Cortes, the governor of New Spain at this time.

The document also states that the arms will be recognised by Charles's heir "Principe Don Felipe", who at the time of writing was just three months old.