Bidspirit auction | Jacques Bassag et Fils

Jacques Bassag et Fils - Grands Maîtres Portugais de l'Ordre de Malte, Edição fac-similada - Jacques Bassag et Fils, 1980. Published in 1980 in Porto. This is a meticulously crafted facsimile edition of the famous excerpt by L'Abbé de Vertot (René-Aubert de Vertot, 1655-1735), taken from his monumental historical work ”Histoire des Chevaliers de Malte” (originally published in Paris by Rollin in 1726). The work focuses on the biography, arms, and historical deeds of the Portuguese Grand Masters who governed the famous and sovereign Order of Malta (Order of St. John of Jerusalem). It is profusely illustrated with magnificent reproductions outside the text of period engravings, representing full-length portraits of the most illustrious heraldic knights and national Grand Masters, such as Frère Don Alphonse Portugal, Frère Don Estevan de Souza, Frère Don Loys de Mello and Frère Don Martin de Garcez. The copy features a spectacular, unusual and luxurious amateur artistic binding in full white leather, displaying in the center of the front cover an imposing and beautiful Maltese Cross (heraldic emblem of the Order) engraved in gold and dry relief, with gilt titles on the smooth spine. The endpaper contains a handwritten note in pencil referring to the prestigious Soares & Mendonça Auction (Porto, Lot No. 1884). The text block and prints are in superb mechanical and fresh condition, entirely sound and clean.