Susanne Schulz-Falster Catalogue Fifteen

Spanish Investment in the Colonies
75 SANTA CRUZ de MARCENADO, Alvaro Navia Ossorio
Marques de. Comercio suelto, y en Companias general y particular,
en Mexico, Peru, Philipinas, y Moscovia: Poblacion, Fabricas,
Pesqueria, Plantios, Colonias en Africa: Empleo de Pobres, y de
Vagabundos: Y otras ventajas, que son faciles à la Espana con los
medios aqui propuestos, extractados, ò commentados. Madrid,
Antonio Marin, 1732. £1,400
Small 8vo, pp. [xvi], 256; woodcut head- and tail-pieces and initials;
contemporary full vellum, with the original ties and ebony buttons,
manuscript lettering to spine; a very attractive and fresh copy.
First edition, uncommon, of an interesting treatise on Spanish economics
by Navia Ossorio, Marques Santa Cruz de Marcenado, written in the
form of a dialogue between the author and a friend. Basically the work is a
plea for the improvement of economic infrastructure to counteract Spain’s
weakened position, and at the same time an attempt to encourage investment
in trading companies and colonial trade. Investment is particularly
targeted for South America and Africa.
In eight chapters a detailed reform and investment program is outlined,
some of it similar to proposals by Ustariz. He proposes the standardisation
of weights, measures and the currency; the improvement of roads,
canals and bridges; the suppression of internal tariffs; the reduction of tax
on merchandise imported from foreign countries, and the protection of all
skilled craftsmen who wish to operate from Spain. Santa Cruz de Marcenado
voices his opposition to any trade restrictions and is much in favour
of commercial companies. He also deals with social questions, such as relief
programs for the poor and unemployed. Details of a company of the Spanish
Indies is given, and some interesting comments on the slave trade are
also included.
Santa Cruz de Marcenado (1684–1732) had earlier published an extensive
military treatise under the title Reflexiones Militares, and some of the military
imagery and vocabulary are noticeable here too. He begins with the maxim,
that in war – just like in economics – three things are necessary: ‘money, money,
money’. To protect free trade rather draconian measures are proposed.
Smuggling, for example, is to be met with the death penalty.
Colmeiro 354; Goldsmiths’–Kress 6980.6 (lacking the half-title); Palau 188832.
Riddles for Every Day
76 [SANTUCCI, Leone.] Enimmi di Caton l’Uticense Luchese.
Venice, Andrea Poletti n.d., [ca. 1690]. £650
12mo, pp. 144, [8]; woodcut cipher to title, small decorative device to
foot of every page; faint dampstain to lower corner of last signature;
contemporary vellum, extremities worn and bent; old shelf label to
catalogue fifteen