O Marquez de Pombal Sebastiao Joze de Carvalho, e Mello Ou Terremoto de 1755. Drama Original.
[Portugal], c. 1838.
4to (195 x 139 mm.). Contemporary foliation: 2-24, 21-118 [r. 121] leaves. Manuscript in a single cursive hand in brown ink, 16-18 lines per page, ruled in pencil. Lacking five leaves (text complete).
Contemporary sheep backed and tipped marbled boards (worn), flat spine gilt.
This play interweaves the stories of a Lisbon family devastated by the 1755 earthquake and the rise and fall of the Marquis de Pombal (1699-1782). He rose from Count to Secretary of State to Prime Minister then suffered banishment. He rebuilt Portugal’s capital after the disaster, modernizing the nation.
The three acts span twenty-two years. The stage directions for the sixty-one scenes bring alive the backdrop changes, props, music and extras — servants, soldiers, town folks, itinerants…. One scene enacts the earthquake, with cries of distress and particular movements and postures specified. The narrative weaves in contemporary events, like the 1761 execution for heresy of Italian missionary to Brazil Gabriele Malagrida. Author and translator for hire, Baiardo occasionally passed off others’ pieces as his own. Is The Marquis of Pombal a Portuguese translation of a French historical romance (see Silva)?
The manuscript’s paper stock is dated the year prior to the text’s only printing. The manuscript has more of the invaluable stage directions than the printed edition and gives the female lead as Emilia, in lieu of Leonor. In good condition, lacking the first and last leaves (likely blanks) and three medial leaves excised at the time of compilation.
¶See Innocêncio da Silva, Diccionario bibliographico portuguez V: 299, 629 & VII: 214, 29-30.
Price: $750.00