Manuel Josef de Ayala - Recopilacion de Leyes de los Reynos de las Indias; Notas a la Recopilacion de Indias - 1943-1945

Description:

Extraordinary and monumental historical-legal set on the Spanish colonial history in the Americas and the Philippines.
This excellent collection consists of two inseparable, interrelated works of legal history:

1. Recopilación de Leyes de los Reynos de las Indias (3 volumes, complete): This is the significant official facsimile reissue of the classical compilation of laws by King Charles II (Carlos II) from the year 1680. Published in 1943 in Madrid by the Consejo de la Hispanidad. This law collection forms the absolute foundation of Indian Law (Derecho Indiano) and for centuries regulated the entire political, administrative, religious, and economic life in the Spanish overseas territories.

2. Notas a la Recopilación de Indias (2 volumes, complete): Written by the famous Panamanian jurist of the 18th century, Manuel Josef de Ayala, and in this edition transcribed and with a detailed introduction by the renowned historian Juan Manzano Manzano. Published in Madrid by Ediciones Cultura Hispánica (Volume I: 1945; Volume II: 1946). It is regarded as the most important critical and illustrated historical source on the genesis and interpretation of the original Leyes de Indias.
An indispensable reference work for historians, lawyers, and collectors of Americana and rare legal literature of the Spanish Empire.

Collation and pagination:

The collection is complete in its respective works (Completo):
• Recopilación de Leyes de los Reynos de las Indias (1943):
• Tome I: XIV, 660 pages.
• Tome II: 604 pages.
• Tome III: 618 pages.

• Notas a la Recopilación de Indias (1945–1946):
• Tome I (1945): 460 pages (including preliminary study and transcription).
• Tome II (1946): 524 pages.

Condition:

• Cover: Original cardbound / paperback bindings (original tapa blanda rústica). The spines and edges show signs of age, light bumps, and typical small tears or missing paper at the capitals (top and bottom edges of the spines), as clearly visible in the detail photos. However, the binding is stable and intact in all volumes.

• Interior: The pages are clean, firmly bound, and complete. There are no significant handwritten entries or highlighter marks. Typical light aging browning and minimal foxing on the uncut margins, underscoring the authentic character of this historical edition.

• Overall impression: Unread or very well-preserved inner pages with external age-related storage and handling traces on the soft paper bindings.

Technical details:

• Number of books: 5
• Language: Spanish (Español)
• Publication years: 1943, 1945, 1946
• Place of publication: Madrid, Spain
• Format: Large Octavo / Quarto (approximately 26 x 19 cm)