Libreria de Antano of Buenos Ayres, Argentina, published a catalogue for the recent 57th California Antiquarian Book Fair. The material is primarily from south of the border, the American-Mexican border that is. Much of the material is in Spanish, as Latin America, with the exception of Brazil (Portuguese), was once a Spanish colony. Their language stuck, even as the Spanish colonizers left. The books are mostly old, but cover a wide range of dates from the 17th to the 20th century. A lot of ground is covered in this catalogue. Here are a few examples of the books you will find.
We'll go way back in time to start with a book written in Spain, by perhaps the greatest writer in the Spanish language. That would be Miguel de Cervantes, and his famous book the story of the great “knight,” Don Quixote. Offered is a third edition of El Ingenioso Hidalgo Don Quixote de la Mancha (the ingenious gentleman Don Quixote of La Mancha). This edition was printed in Lisbon, Portugal, and published in 1605. Apparently, there are no copies of this edition in U.S. Libraries. This copy is incomplete as a few pages are missing, but that may be because of one of the major stories about the book. It was censored, or at least parts of it were back in the day. Pages describing the scene that finds the innkeeper's daughter in bed with Don Quixote and the seduction of Dorotea are missing, as is a part mentioning some of his wild ideas gained from reading heretical books. Item 3. Priced at $48,000.
This next item is a final farewell from a legendary Mexican leader with a mixed reputation, generally not that good. Antonio Lopez de Santa-Anna was a major force in Mexican politics and the military for three decades, from around 1825 until his final exile in 1855. During that time, he served numerous short terms in the presidency and led the army. He is best known in the United States for his successful defeat of the Texans at the Alamo, followed by numerous defeats that led to America taking over Texas and other Mexican territory. He returned to power in 1853 after one of his exiles, but after another failed presidency, went into his final exile in 1855. Item 50 is his final farewell to his “Megicanos.” He defends his administration against charges of tyranny, admonishes his countrymen for ingratitude, and defends his leaving the country as voluntary, rather than a forced expulsion. He would not return to his homeland again until 1874 at age 80 following a general amnesty. He died two years later. Item 50. $5,750.
We expect politicians to be highly motivated by self-interest, their protestations to the contrary notwithstanding, but the clergy? Evidently, they need to be reminded too. Item 27 is a printed letter from Archbishop Francisco Xavier de Lizana y Beaumont admonishing the clergy of his diocese “for a second time” to observe recent decrees and instructions governing their behavior. Dated September 1, 1803, he expresses concern for ecclesiastical officials drifting into worldly pursuits, notably commerce. He reminds them that they should not turn their churches or their own priestly status into vehicles of secular business. They are expected to display humility, obedience to their monarch, charity, care for the ill, all those positive attributes associated with their position. They should not get entangled in “the affairs of the age.” Item 27. $2,200.
Next is an illustrated manuscript circa 1850 by a lady named Marguerite Pierre. The title is Mexique et Perou (Mexico and Peru). Ms. Pierre, not surprisingly, was a French woman whose subjects include archaeological sites, including pyramids, stone figures and deities, along with portraits of colonial leaders, Columbus, Cortes, and Pizarro. She has also executed hand-drawn maps of North and South America. The text describes the subjects of her drawings and other details about the land. She uses decorative initials and borders to enhance the text. Tissue guards are used to protect the drawings. I have not been able to locate any more information about this talented amateur artist. Item 47. $12,500.
A comet appeared in the skies all over the world in 1664. It was noted for its brightness, drawing attention from notable figures such as Newton, Hooke, and Samuel Pepys. While of interest to scientists, it also brought out the astrologers who saw it as an omen. The Great Plague of 1665 and The Great Fire in London supposedly were connected to the comet. It disappeared a few months later, only to be followed shortly thereafter by another great comet. Item 7 is Astrologische Muthmassungen, von der Bedeuttung jungst entstandenen Someten (astrological speculations concerning the significance of recently appeared comets), by Peter Megelin, published in 1665. It was, of course, just a naturally occurring cosmic event, but it was hard in those times of limited scientific knowledge not to think it meant something more. Item 7. $4,500.
Libreria de Antano may be reached by email at [email protected]. Their telephone number is +54911 41900524.
