Hispania Rare Books

£8700.00

Sebastian de Covarrubias Orozco (1539-1613)

Tesoro de la Lengua Castellana o Española. Compuesto por el Licenciado Don Sebastian de Cobarrubias Orozco, Capellan de su Magestad, Maestro  Escuela y Canonigo de la Santa Iglesia de Cuenca,  y Consultor del Santo Oficio de la Inquisicion.

 En Madrid: Luis Sanchez impresor del Rey N.S ,1611.

First Edition, Folio, (278 x 195mm), ff (X) 602, 79 ff; (I), contemporary vellum, title with woodcut royal arms.

Original edition of this dictionary, one of the first in the vernacular in Europe.Covarrubias Spanish dictionary, first published in 1611 with 1000 copies printed, was considered to be the most important lexicographical works of its time, and remained the most authoritative until the publication of Diccionario de la Lengua Española by the Real Academia Española in 1770

 Covarrubias, a scholar and cleric, sought to not only define words but also provide insights into their origins, meanings, and uses in literature, thus enriching the understanding of the Spanish language during the Golden Age. El Tesoro de la Lengua is both a linguistic and cultural treasure of early seventeen century Spain.

Condition: rebacked preserving original spine with title, occasional light browning and foxing, final 30 leaves with small red stain to upper margins, title with short tear into text without loss and expertly repaired to verso, ink inscriptions to title verso, trimmed occasional affecting headline. Ex library with bookplate to paste-down.  Overall in good condition for a 400 year old book. Please see pictures.