"A Landmark Contribution To Eighteenth-Century Knowledge of Mexico"—Hill
History of Mexico. Collected from Spanish and Mexican Historians, from Manuscripts, and Ancient Paintings of the Indians. Illustrated by Charts, and other Copper Plates. To which are added, Critical Dissertations on the land, the Animals, and Inhabitants of Mexico. Translated from the Original Italian, by Charles Cullen, Esq. In Two Volumes.
London: Printed for G.G.J. and J. Robinson, 1787.
Collected from Spanish and Mexican Historians, from Manuscripts, and Ancient Paintings of the Indians. Illustrated by Charts, and other Copper Plates. To which are added, Critical Dissertations on the land, the Animals, and Inhabitants of Mexico...Translated from the Original Italian, by Charles Cullen, Esq. In Two Volumes. London: Printed for G.G.J. and J. Robinson, 1787. First edition in English (originally published in Italian in 1780). Two quarto volumes. [2], xxxii, [4], [1]2-476; [4], 463, [1, blank] pp. Complete with two folding engraved maps and twenty- five copper-plates.
Contemporary tree calf, neatly rebacked. Spines gilt in compartments, with two contrasting morocco lettering pieces. Corners a little rubbed. Occasional very light foxing, otherwise a very good, clean and fresh copy of this important account of Mexico.
"The first great Mexican historian who, by combining scientific method with profound critical insight and solid learning, was to present a marvelous picture of both the Aztec civilization and the accomplishments of the conquistadors, was the abbot Don Francisco Javier Clavijero...Clavijero was well prepared to write the History: from his youth he had familiarized himself with the languages, customs, and character of the Indians, as well as with nature, which he had found opportunity to study while roaming through the regions governed by his father...He divided it into ten books, and begins by the describing the geography of the Valley of Mexico...He presents a picture of political and military life of the Aztecs and of the other leading tribes of the Valley. He delves into their inner life: religion, customs, culture, social organizations, and sources of activity and wealth. He establishes, for the first time, the chronology of the indigenous peoples" (Peña, C.G., History of Mexican Literature, pp. 130-134). This English translation appeared before the first Spanish translation by Don José Joaquin de Mora, printed in London in 1826.
Hill p. 54. Palau 55485. Sabin 13519.
HBS 66854.
$2,500.
Price: $2,500.00
Item #66854