[Jesuit] – Regras da Companhia de Iesu. Lisbon: Antonio Ribeiro, 1582.

Rare Jesuit manual tailored for the Age of Discovery, in a contemporary binding. This edition of the rules of the Society of Jesus contains references to the Americas and other regions of Portgual's expanding empire, reflecting the changing focus of the order as many Portuguese Jesuits embarked on missions across the world. The stated missionary purpose for the Jesuits, for example, takes on a global perspective: “Nessa vocação he pera correr, & fazer vida em qualquer parte do mundo, onde se espera maior serviço de Deus, & ajuda das almas” [“Our vocation is to go forth and live in any part of the world where greater service to God and help for souls is expected]. One section details how to pray for the conversion of the Americas, both the Indies and more northern regions: “Cada sacerdote diga cada mês duas missas: uma pelas Índias e conversão dos Gentios; e outra pelas partes setentrionais e redução dos hereges.” Similarly, there is a call to pray for provinces’ founders: “Cada sacerdote diga três missas pelo fundador vivo da província e benfeitores.” Anselmo 954.

12mo (132 × 70mm). Woodcut Jesuit device on title-page, woodcut initials and tailpieces (worming, light stains). Contemporary ?Portuguese limp vellum, yapp edges, edges stained (worming, stains, edges faded). Provenance: José Mindlin, 1914–2010 (bookplate).