[GONÇALVES, Rui (fl. 1539-1557).] Dos privilegios & praerogativas que ho genero feminino tempor direito comum & ordenações do Reyno mais que ho genero masculino. [Lisbon:] João de Barreira, 1557.

First edition. An extremely rare treatise on women’s rights in 16th century Portugal, quite possibly unique in private hands. Rui Gonçalves was one of two Portuguese jurists arguing for the rights for women around this time. The other was João de Barros who published Espelho de casados in 1540. In the present work, Gonçalves begins with a moral argument that women are equal and in some respects superior to men. He then catalogues current Portuguese legislation aiming to provide strategies for protecting women from infringements on their rights and privileges. No copies of the first edition appear in OCLC or in the auction records. Anselmo records four copies in Portugal. It would take more than two centuries for a second edition to be published—in 1785. After another two centuries, in 1992, a facsimile of the first edition was made by the Biblioteca Nacional in Lisbon. Anselmo 145; Catálogo dos impressos de tipografia portuguesa do século XVI: a colecção da Biblioteca Nacional 298.

Quarto (290 x 140mm). Title with woodcut border and arms of Portugal. Printed in red and black. (Title with gutter margin renewed and mild soiling, A4 browned, F2 and N2 just shaved, about a dozen leaves with an expert repair to fore-margin occasionally touching shoulder notes, final leaf re-hinged.) 19th century green morocco gilt-ruled, spine gilt in raised compartments (spine sunned, a few scuffs).