Red Morocco binding with coat of arm of King Charles III of Spain. BROCHERO. Patente di nobiltà di Don Luis Bermudo [..]

Parchment manuscript in 4to, mm. 300 x 200. Binding in full red morocco with rich gold decoration on the covers and on the ribbed back, in the middle of the plates the coat of arm of King Charles III of Spain. Endpapers in polychrome marbled paper. Interior consists of 68 vellum leaves with text within red double linear frame, at corners arabesque decoration in blue. Text in Spanish, crisp chancery script, brown ink. In the opening two large illuminated folios: the first with two large coats of arms, the second, The second, which serves as the Title-page, with the seal-stem of King Charles III surmounted by crown and the Author's name, within architectural composition with the two columns of the Royal House and the motto "Plus Ultra." In the text, large illuminated Initials with landscapes, illustrated headpieces with titles, Tailpieces with coats of arms illuminated in bright colors and gold. Interleaved with coeval silks protecting the illustrations. Outside text a very large family tree dating back to Don Ignacio Bermudo Soriano, folded. Beautiful specimen.

Spanish heraldic manuscript from the 18th century, beautifully illuminated. The document is officially drawn up and attested by Don Julian Joseph Brochero, first king-at-arms of Spain. The noble origins of the Bermudo Soriano, Medina Mejorada, La Cadena, Escovar and Ortiz de Espinosa lineages are described. The chapter devoted to each house depicts, in garish and vivid colors, the respective coat of arms, with rich gold embossing. 

The king of arms, the principal rank among those of the officers of arms, was the chief of the heralds and had the task of guarding the coats of arms granted, making any changes or additions that resulted from new concessions or marriage alliances. Because of this he also saw to recording and correcting the family trees of families. At the end of the volume, the Patent of Nobility is guaranteed and countersigned by Felipe López de la Huerta, Oficial Real Contador del real Tribunal de Cuentas de Madrid en el Reyno de España.

A similar manuscript by Brochero, "Certificación de nobleza y escudo de armas de Bernardo Ballerino," with the same titlepage, but without Armorial binding of the King, at the Archivo Histórico Nacional, CODICES, L.1415; digitized in: http://pares.mcu.es/ParesBusquedas20/catalogo/show/2610353.