Blasones y Talegas

José María de Pereda (1833-1906) was a conservative Spanish writer from Cantabria, known for his regional costumbrismo and staunch defense of traditional values. His extensive work includes plays, articles, custom scenes, and twelve novels, securing his place in the Real Academia Española.

First published in 1869 as a series in La Revista de España and later included in his 1871 collection Tipos y paisajes, Blasones y Talegas (“Coats of Arms and Purses“) marks a significant step in Pereda's early career. It transcends typical custom articles to become one of his first short novels, featuring a cohesive narrative, fictional characters, and a clear plot.

The story centers on the marriage alliance between the impoverished hidalgo, Don Robustiano Tres-Solares, representing the old nobility, and the new-rich “jándalo” Toribio Mazorcas, who made his fortune through emigration. This societal contrast is further explored through their children, Verónica and Antón, whose union symbolizes the clash and eventual “mestizaje” (mixing) of classes in 19th-century Spain.

Pereda masterfully uses literary techniques, echoing Don Quijote in the portrayal of Don Robustiano and drawing parallels with contemporary French novels on similar themes. The work is notable for Pereda's observational realism, depicting societal changes before his later shift towards more idealized portrayals of patriarchs. This edition highlights Don Robustiano's surprising psychological transformation, accepting a blend of lineage and wealth—a key ideological undercurrent.

Praised by eminent figures like Benito Pérez Galdós and Marcelino Menéndez Pelayo, Blasones y Talegas is recognized today as a foundational text that anticipates many of the core themes and contrasts found throughout Pereda's later and more extensive works, such as *Sotileza* and *El sabor de la tierruca*. It is valued for its literary quality and its insightful depiction of social dynamics.

This Stockcero edition, meticulously prepared by Raquel Gutiérrez Sebastián, is based on Salvador García Castañeda's comprehensive edition. It has been rigorously collated with early editions and manuscripts, offering a reliable text with rich lexical and literary annotations to enhance the contemporary reader's understanding.