Tardes Americanas: Gobierno Gentil y Catolioco: Breve y Particular Noticia de Toda la Historia Indiana
Mexico: Imprenta Matritense de Felipe de Zúñiga y Ontiveros, 1778.
First edition. [lxx], 540 pp. Later red calf, spine ruled in gilt, morocco lettering-piece gilt, edges stained yellow. Good+ with two strips of wear to calf, worn along edges and mottled, edges stained, front hinge starting, tape repair to title page, former owner's bookplate on verso of title page. Lacking frontispiece and plate facing p. 56; engraved plate facing p. 8 present, as is engraved coat of arms on page of introduction and woodcut on p. 56.
A history of pre-Hispanic indigenous culture in Mexico and a critique of the Bourbon Reforms in the viceroyalty of New Spain. It was written by a priest in Michoacán in the form of a dialogue between a man from the Otomí tribe and a Spaniard. "This interesting history of ancient Mexico, written in the form of a dialogue between an Indian and a Spaniard, and divided into seventeen 'Nights,' is very little known in Europe, and is very rare in Mexico. On pp. 90-94 will be found a fragment of Aztec poetry, written by a poet of the euphonious name Notzahaulcoyotl, and translated into Spanish by the author. One of the most curious subjects treated in this work is that of the Mexican Calendar with the names of the days in Mexican and in Spanish. On pp.141 to 150 are given the Mexican names of the kings of the empire of Tescuco." (Field, Indian Bibliography, 620). JCB III:2467; Medina 7000; Palau y Dulcet 108426; Sabin 28255.
Price: $4,500.00