Surely if they asked us what is the oldest text in Spanish in history We would not know what to answer, but we would dare to affirm that it is kept somewhere in the National Library or in any museum in Spain, but to the disbelief of almost everyone, the oldest text in Spanish has been found these days in Scotland in the hands of an individual.
This text, which has 32 engravings and 44 folios, is entitled "The story of the seven wise men of Rome" and it was found by Professor María Jesús Lacarra, who works daily at the Faculty of Letters of the University of Zaragoza, in a curious way to say the least.
And it is that this teacher came across this incunabula while reviewing the works that were in an English digital database on incunabula. In the work file it was specified that to obtain more information about the work, one would have to go to the Edinburgh Library. This Aragonese teacher of course did not go to the Library, but she did contact them, who helped her to get in touch with the owner who finally, after arduous negotiations, decided to send her a scanned copy of the work for her study. and analysis.
This work is very popular worldwide and has been translated into practically all existing languages. At first it is believed that It could have belonged to the Spanish Royal House in the XNUMXth century, which was taken over after it was printed in Zaragoza. Later the work passed into the hands of the English painter Charles Fairfax Murray, a great fan of books as well as painting and who saw his prestigious collection being auctioned after his death. In that auction, this incunabulum was almost certainly obtained by its current owner.
Without a doubt it is a very interesting and invaluable find, which unfortunately and for the moment cannot be preserved and exhibited in Spain or in any country where Spanish is the official language and will continue in Scotland where its owner is not. he knew that he had in his possession the oldest text in Spanish in history.