PHILIP II, CARTA EXECUTORIA FOR GONZALO RODRIGUES LOBO AND HEIRS, GRANADA, 1569, PLATERESQUE BINDING

folio (c. 310 x 208mm.), ILLUMINATED MANUSCRIPT ON VELLUM, [1 (blank)], 28, [3 (with later additions)] leaves, sewn in a single quire, thick coloured thread in the central fold (probably to hold a seal, now lacking), first double-page opening illuminated, on the left-hand side the lettering "Don Philipe" with portraits of saints and the king and some kneeling courtiers (courtiers slightly defaced), on the right "Por la gracia de Dios" with a knight on horseback defeating the Moors and a large armorial, numerous gold initials on coloured grounds, on fol. 20 portraits of saints and a group of nobles (one carrying a musket), on fol. 28 an inhabited gold initial with a nobleman in fine clothing, signed at the end by Torres and Salgado on behalf of the king, contemporary Granadan binding of dark brown goatskin with gilt plateresque decoration, including stamps of lions, deer, birds and shells, roll-tooled borders with military motifs, boards comprised of early printed leaves pasted together (and now come apart), probably printed by Cromberger of Seville, occasional rubbing of illumination, pastedowns lifted and binder's waste now partly pulled apart, spine defective at head and crudely repaired at foot, lacking 4 pairs of blue silk ties

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."

The file copy of this carta executoria is still in the archives of Granada (Archivo de la Real Chancilleria de Granada, E.301-47-11). The early printed binding waste contains extracts in Spanish from an illustrated life of Christ or a commentary on the Gospels, perhaps Montesino's Epistolas y Evangelios (Seville: Cromberger, editions printed in 1537, 1540, 1549). The woodcuts are close to those used by Cromberger for his Retablo de la vida de cristo by Juan de Padilla (1518), though Padilla's text is in verse. The sewing guards (also binder's waste) are from a different text with a different typeface, also illustrated, and on one fragment the (printing?) date 1508 can be seen.

For very similar bindings, see Encuadernaciones Españolas (Madrid, 1934), plate 25, dated Granada, 1567 (with the deer and shell tools), and Davis Gift 400, dated Granada, c. 1570 (with the deer, bird-on-a-branch, corner fleurons and vase tools).