Rare Book Monthly
Book Catalogue Reviews - March - 2007 Issue
Mexicana, Latin America, and other Recent Acquisitions at Libreria de Antano
Obscure book by Jorge Luis Borges' father; very rare first book by Cortazar (Julio
Item 48 is a very rare first Spanish edition of Adam Smith's Wealth of Nations, or, in the Spanish, Investigacion de la naturaleza y causes de la riqueza de las naciones. This classic signaled the formation of modern economics, as Smith noted the forces at work in a market economy. The Spanish King had this book published in 1794 in hopes of avoiding the economic problems that led to the French Revolution. Libreria de Antano notes that this edition is rarer than either the first edition or the first American edition. Price on request.
Item 55 is a wonderful piece for those still captivated by the charm of "Evita," Eva Peron. The wife of dictator Juan Peron, Evita was loved by the masses of ordinary people who saw her as their voice in the government. She managed to keep a balance between popularity from the masses and loyalty to her husband. Sadly, cancer took Evita's life in 1952 at the age of 33, during the height of the Peron regime. Item 55 is a copy of La segunda independencia, by Diez Gomez, published in 1948. It is an item of pro-Peron propaganda, comparing the Peronista Revolution with Argentina's original fight for independence in 1810. This copy belonged to Juan Peron's niece, Dorita Peron, given to her by her Aunt Eva. The book is inscribed by Evita (translated,) "this book is for my dear niece Dorita, so that she may always remember the beautiful life of her uncle General Peron, with all my love, Evita." She knew always to compliment as well as complement her husband. $3,500.
Here is a different item for collectors of one of South America's greatest writers, Jorge Luis Borges. It is the only book ever published by his father, Jorge Guillermo Borges. Libreria de Antano notes that the father was essentially "a failed writer," but the son inherited his father's dreams, though with an entirely different set of skills. Borges Senior's book is El Cauldilla, Novela. Palma de Mallorca. The obscure book was published in 1921. Item 62. $3,850.
Item 64 is a book of major importance. It is the very rare first edition of the first book written by Julio Cortazar, Presencia. It was published in 1938 under the pseudonym Julio Denis. This book of sonnets was not Cortazar's favorite. It is the only book the author did not want republished, saying it was "happily" forgotten. This copy actually belonged at one time to Cortazar. Price on request.
Libreria de Antano may be reached by phone at (5411) 4822-7178 or by email at info@antano.com.ar.
