Beschreibung:

Lima Imprint of First Spanish Constitution Kingdom of Spain, 1812 SPAIN, KINGDOM OF – Constitución Política de la Monarquía Española. Promulgada en Cádiz a 19 de Marzo de 1812. Lima: Imprenta de los Huerfanos, 1812. Rare Peruvian edition of the first Spanish constitution, issued in Cádiz on 19 March 1812 during the Peninsular War. It was a liberal document, establishing universal suffrage for men, freedom of the press, land reform and constitutional monarchy, among other matters, and was widely influential in the creation of other national constitutions both in Europe and in Spain’s empire overseas. It was only implemented for a short time before King Ferdinand VII returned to Spain in 1813 and discarded it. On his overthrow in 1820, the Constitution was restored. The title page of this Lima edition is preceded by two unnumbered pages containing the order of King Fernando VII to Ignacio de la Pezuela, the Viceroy, to promulgate the Constitution in Peru. The unnumbered pages at the end contain additional decrees concerning the promulgation of the Constitution. Medina, Lima IV, p. 47 no. 2738. Folio (268 x 188mm). Signature of Toribio de Acebal, Viceroy Pezuela’s secretary, on final leaf (lacking preface by Pezuela, provided in modern facsimile on laid paper; paper repairs on title; paper repairs on final leaf incorporating a few words in facsimile; a little spotting). Modern limp vellum (Zambrano library label on back pastedown); custom clam-shell box. Provenance: Teniente Don Ildefonso de Ubaque (signature on title).