258 - 1779–1792.

1779–1792. BOOK. (COMMERCE—BARCELONA). CAPMANY Y DE MONTPALAU, ANTONIO DE:. HISTORICAL MEMOIRS ON THE NAVY, COMMERCE, AND ARTS OF THE ANCIENT CITY OF BARCELONA. Madrid: Printed by Antonio de Sancha, 1779–1792. 4 vols. in quarto. Vol. I: 3 folios + XXIV pages + 1 folio + 185 pages + 1 folio + 260 pages + 1 folio + 148 pages + 4 folios II: 2 folios + XVI pages + 1 folio + 471 pages + XIII + XXX pages + 1 folio + 124 pages + III pages + 1 folio Some handwritten notes by a former owner. III: 2 h. + XX p. + 2 h. + 377 p. + XIX p. Rubber stamp of a former owner, also on the following volume. IV: 3 folios + XXXIV pages + 1 folio + 418 pages + 133 pages. Each volume features a chalcographic engraving on the title page. Headpieces engraved by Moles, based on drawings by Carnicero or Montaña. Four vols. bound in period Spanish paperboard, painted edges (two in red and two in blue), double title label. It is considered the first economic history published in Europe and is an indispensable reference work for historians of the navy and commerce, for Mediterranean countries, and for Catalonia. It was commissioned specifically by the Barcelona Board of Trade and deals extensively with overseas expeditions, trade, and navigation in relation to Europe; institutions such as the Consulate and the Lonja; the economic history of Barcelona’s industry; guild regulations; and technical and economic legislation.