[Commonplace Books]. [Mexico]

[19th-Century Mexican Commonplace Book with Abundant Contemporary Political and Religious Material]

[Mexico: ca.1828]. [394]pp. Small quarto. Contemporary full calf, gilt and blind rules. Light scuffing and wear to boards; remnants of shelf label at head of spine; pastedowns partially composed of manuscript waste. Some dampstaining and soiling throughout; burn marks at fore-edge of final leaves, not affecting text. Composed in a very neat and legible hand. Good plus. Item #5682

An extensive and fascinating Mexican commonplace book, dating to approximately 1830, that collects a wealth of political and religious texts. The work assembled parts of published books and what seem to be some original compositions for easy use and reference of the compiler. The preponderance of the book is religious matter, primarily instructive and catechistic texts, but the very first piece is a politico-historical tract titled, "Epocas Memorables de Esta America Desde Que Comenza à Figuras en el Mundo Politico." Although several of the works appear partial, the compiler was a punctilious transcriber, often copying out the licenses and approbations that make up the preliminaries of many Mexican religious works of the period, and employing catch letters (as opposed to cacthwords) to mark the continuity of the work in detail. Several "off-topic" items include a table of Roman numerals and list of brief, annual prophecies up to the 1850s. The whole is bound in a delightful vernacular, contemporary calf binding with simple gilt and blind rules. The leaves, rather than being sewed, have been strung onto two leather thongs attached to the spine. Overall, a fine and attractive example.

Price: $2,500.00