Extremely rare publication - written under the pseudonym of "Romanus", an author whose identity we were unable to ascertain - explaining the process of abolishing slavery in Brazil. Dom Pedro II (1825-1891), the second and last emperor of Brazil, pushed the abolition of slavery through, despite opposition from powerful political and economic interests. He was overthrown mainly because the abolition of slavery - enacted in 1888 by the Lei Áurea (Golden Law) of his eldest daughter Princess Isabel (1846-1921) - angered the landowning elite, who withdrew their support for the monarchy after losing their enslaved labourers without compensation.
Enriched with original documents, this work provides valuable insights into the strategies employed by these agricultural elites and the broader implications of their resistance. It highlights the socio-political dynamics of the time, offering a detailed analysis of how the struggle between pro-slavery forces and abolitionists shaped Brazil in the final years leading up to the abolition of slavery in 1888. In summary, A lavoura e o trabalho is a vital resource for understanding this transformative period in Brazilian history.
With a manuscript inscription in brown ink by the author on the half title page, presenting the this copy to Emperor Pedro II of Brazil ("Á Sua Magestade o Imperadôr offe [printed: A lavoura e o trabalho] um dedicado subdito e despretenciôso menbro[!] da litteratura brasileira, o Autôr. Edição especial - 30 Sept[embr]o"). The binding is only very slightly bumped around the corners of the boards, the printed front wrapper and most text leaves partly water stained in the inner margin, a few wormholes, mainly in the lower blank margin, at the beginning, front wrapper and several text leaves slightly damaged in the (outer) blank margin due to the fragility of the paper, browned throughout but mainly in the outer margins. Otherwise in good condition. Alonso, "The last abolition. The Brazilian antislavery movement, 1868-1888" (2022), p. 401 (note); not in Porbase; WorldCat; not found in the usual reference works.