Noções historicas, economicas, e administrativas sobre a producção, e manufactura das sedas em Portugal, e particularmente sobre a Real Fabrica do suburbio do Rato, e suas annexas.

NEVES, José Accursio das.

Published by Lisbon, Na Impressão Regia, 1827.

About this Item

8°, contemporary crimson quarter calf over marbled boards (corners a bit worn), spine with black leather lettering piece), gilt letter, orange endleaves, text-block edges sprinkled. Clean and crisp. In fine condition. vii, 405 pp., (1 l.). *** FIRST EDITION of a useful, well documented work on the production of silk in Portugal, especially at the factory in the Rato, established in the 1730s on what was then the outskirts of Lisbon. Neves describes the progress of that factory under various administrations, government support of the factory, the addition of facilities for dyeing and design, the cultivation of silkworms, and the changes made by Piedmontese immigrants. Chapters XIV-XIX (out of 27) deal with other industries in Portugal, including tapestries, hat-making, stucco, locksmiths, combs, cardboard boxes, varnish, watches, crockery, buttons, and decanters.Accursio das Neves (1766-1834), a noted economist, held various government posts; his writing was primarily concerned with the political implications of commerce. Elected a member of the Real Academia das Sciencias de Lisboa in 1810, he was a defender of absolutism, being one of the principle supporters of D. Miguel in the Côrtes of 1828. As an absolutist, he had been opposed to the liberal ideology behind the revolution of 1820, and the 1822 constitution. On May 14, 1821 he lost his government offices, only to be reinstated in June 1823. Nevertheless, Neves was elected deputy to the Côrtes of 1822. The years 1821-1828 saw the maturing of his political-economic development. Despite the ultra conservative approach to politics, Neves favored industrialization and free trade (while defending a moderate protectionism). As a result of his support for Miguelismo, Neves became an obscure figure after the liberals triumphed toward the end of his life. Today he is regarded as one of the most brilliant Portuguese thinkers and most lucid prose writers of his age - a precursor of modern economic theory in Portugal.*** Innocêncio IV, 182 (without mention of the final leaf, a table of contents). Kress, Luso-Brazilian Economic Literature Before 1850, pp. 14-5. On the author, see Laranjo, Economistas portugueses pp. 89-94. Porbase locates four copies, all at Biblioteca Nacional de Portugal.

Seller Inventory # 20025

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Noções historicas, economicas, e administrativas sobre a producção, e manufactura das sedas em Portugal, e particularmente sobre a Real Fabrica do suburbio do Rato, e suas annexas.
• Publisher: Lisbon, Na Impressão Regia, 1827.
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: 1st Edition