Breslauer, cat. 50 (1932?), item 1083 (this copy); Leclerc 1065 (with part
2 in the 1844 edition); Palau 13069; Sabin 40038; not in Abbey, Travel;
Church; Cox; Eberstadt; Streeter.
First edition of a magnificent show-piece displaying the recently discovered
antiquities of Mexico, especially those of the Mayan city of Palenque, based
on the expeditions of Captain Guillermo Dupaix in the years 1805 to 1807 and
illustrated with 162 lithographic plates (including the frontispiece), mostly
tinted or beautifully hand-coloured. Some copies were issued with the plates
uncoloured and many with them partly coloured, but only a few with the
splendid and extensive colouring shown here. The extraordinary illustrations,
nearly all drawn by José Luciano Castañeda who accompanied Dupaix on all
three voyages, gave Europeans their first good look at Mayan civilization.
They also show many buildings and artifacts that have since been lost or
damaged (soon after the expeditions Mexico sank into turmoil and revolution
for three quarters of a century). In addition to Palenque, the book covers the
Zapotec/Mixtec site Mitla in Oaxaca and even Aztec and other sites.
The map called for on the title-page, which certainly appeared in the 1844
edition, does not appear in the contents lists for either volume of the 1834
edition, Sabin does not call for it, and Leclerc records it at the end of part
2 (which was from the 1844 edition in his copy). Palau and OCLC report it in
some copies of the 1834 edition, but it was apparently not yet ready when the
book first appeared.
The arms on the binding were in use by the Czars of Russia from 1645 to 1856,
after which the image of St. George was reversed. Nicholas I was czar when the
book first appeared, but if the initial A in each rectangular element in the
chain of the order of St. Andrew stands for his son Alexander (as suggested by
Breslauer), the binding probably dates from the first year of the reign of
Czar Alexander II, who succeeded his father in 1855. Perhaps his accession to
the throne was the occasion for presentation of the book. In very good
condition (most of the plates fine) with the text leaves slightly foxed as
usual and a few minor marginal defects. The frontispiece, normally bound with
the text, appears here with the plates. The bindings also very good, with
cracks in the hinges at the foot of the plates volume. A splendid book that
revolutionized European knowledge of ancient Mexico and remains an essential
primary source for the study of Mexican antiquities.
Prices in EUROS (€), shipping and BTW/VAT extra.
