LIDIA (La): - Lot 179

LIDIA (La): Revista taurina. Año I, April 2, 1882, to Año X, November 16, 1891. Madrid, 1882-1891 Ten volumes: years I to VIII bound in eight volumes in folio, 1/2 red chagrin, ornate ribbed spines, percaline boards. Years IX and X bound in two volumes in folio, ornate ribbed spines, blue percaline boards. Good condition. Old adhesive restorations on folding plates and leaves. On April 2, 1882, the first issue of "La Lidia" magazine was published. It was the most important magazine of the last two decades of the 19th century, both for its modern presentation and for its quality and magnificent illustrations. Founded by Julián Palacios, it was published as a "bullfighting magazine illustrated with chromolithographs", appearing the day after each bullfight in Madrid. Its contributors included the best bullfighting columnists and historians of the day. Daniel Perea was the author of the largest number of illustrations. In the absence of photographs, the color lithographs constitute one of the finest collections of testimonials to bullfighting, as well as portraits of matadors and breeders and the bullfighting customs that marked their era. La Lidia is considered by many specialized historians to be a pioneer of the "modern" press in Spain, and is an indispensable work for the bullfighting collector.