Promptuario das Leis Civis

1876. Rio de Janeiro: Instituto Typographico, 1876. Rio de Janeiro: Instituto Typographico, 1876. Compendium of an Important Compilation of Brazilian Civil Law [Freitas, Augusto Teixeira de]. Promptuario das Leis Civis. Rio de Janeiro: Instituto Typographico do Direito, 1876. 604, iii pp. Quarto (8-3/4" x 6"). Contemporary quarter calf over marbled boards, raised bands, gilt title and gilt ornaments to spine. Moderate rubbing to extremities, chipping to head of spine, corners worn, front hinge cracked, rear hinge starting, text block loose (but secure), bookseller ticket to front pastedown. Moderate toning to text block, internally clean. Ex-library. Location label to spine, stamps and annotations to title page. A solid copy of a rare title. $950. * Only edition. Freitas was a prominent Brazilian jurist and state official. He produced the first systematic compilation of Brazilian civil law, the Consolidacao das Leis Civis, and a pioneering draft Esboco de Codigo Civil (1860-64) that served as the basis for codifications in Brazil, Argentina and other South American nations. Borchard notes that Freitas's Consolidacao was so excellent that it was adopted as law by decree in 1858. A valuable companion, the Promptuario is an alphabetically arranged compendium of this work. It is a rare title. OCLC locates 3 copies, 2 in North America (Library of Congress, University of St. Louis). Borchard, Guide to the Law and Legal Literature of Argentina, Brazil and Chile 250. (Inventory #: 62628)