The Infanta Capellista

THE CASE (1957-1959)

Written in a rebellious style and social criticism, typical of Camilo Castelo Branco, the work "A Infanta Capellista" unpleasantly targets some members of the House of Braganza. However, the work ends up not being published, by order of Camilo himself, as he suspends the publication and destroys the copies.

This decision was linked to the author's desire to reciprocate the kindness of the visit to his house by the monarch D. Pedro, Emperor of Brazil, in 1872, and the attribution of the title of Viscount that the latter intended to bestow upon him. The decree that would make him Viscount of Correia Botelho was eventually signed by D. Luís on June 18, 1885.

However, in the middle of the 20th century, having managed to reconstitute a complete copy, Livraria Moreira da Silva publishes a facsimile edition of 50 copies of "A Infanta Capellista", therefore being sued by the granddaughter of Camilo Castelo Branco, who wins the lawsuit and is compensated with 18.500 escudos (about 7.150€ nowadays).

© Propriedade: Real Gabinete Português de Leitura do Rio de Janeiro

“INFANTA CAPELLISTA”

Um dos 50 exemplares mandado reproduzir em 1952 no Porto, pela Livraria Moreira da Costa, filha. Edição fac-similada.