Alvar, Manuel
Large 8vo size, 10 x 7 in, pp pp xiii, 197, with numerous b/w photo reproductions of the original text. Translation ad study of this 13th century poem, in Spanish and Aragonese, of th elegends surround the l=ife, particularly the infancy narratives, of Jesus. Fine condition, in thinck wrappers, with fench fold.
Valle-Arizpe, Artemio de
Paperback, pp 162. A fictionalized version of Servando de Mier's life, October 18, 1765 December 3, 1827, which was surely one of the most colorful in Mexican history. Pursued by the Mexican Inquisition over a sermon on the Apostle St. Thomas, in which he claimed that the image of the Virgin of Guadalupe was imprinted on Thomas' cloak, centuries before it was "discovered" by Juan Diego. Jailed in Spain, he escaped to France, before finally returning to Mexico to take part in the struggle for independence. He left some memoires which are generally onsidered dubious as to the actual facts of his life. This version is in the inimitable style of Valle-Arizpe - keep your dictionary handy! Spanish language. This copy is in perfect condition.
Stephens, John Lloyd
2 vols., 8vo, pp. [xiv], 303 + folding plates; [xiii], 336 + catalog of Dover publications. Very good reprint of this classic, including all of the original Catherwood ilustrations, 254 in toto. Catherwood's drawings are well reproduced, in some cases folding out into multi-panelled views, as in the original. Maps, groundplans, all included. Bound in stiff colored wrappers. Fone condition.
Anonymous; Posada, Jose Guadalupe (illus)
16 pp, small pamphlet, 5.25 x 3.5 in. Contains recipes. Subtitle reads: "Recetas utiles para curar las enfermedades mas comunes, recopilads de las mejores obras de medecina." The title is a bit ambiguous, as this is only the first booklet in a series of three, which all told apparently would contain 300 "recipes." Probably each pamphlet contained 100 recipes each. This has about 100. Fine condition, stapled wraps, colored front wrapper possibly by Jose Guadalupe Posada (as noted by OCLC and UT San Antonio, Posada being the principle illustrator for Vanegas Arroyo). Extremely rare, as OCLC locates only one copy of each of the three pamphlets.
Parra, Juan Martínez de la
Folio, ff [8], pp 455, 14 ff. Printed in two columns per page.The pagination does not match any of Palau's listed editions, nevertheless the book is complete. A work that was frequently reprinted down through the early 20th century. As the title denotes, it is a series of talks give by father Martinez de la Parra on the truths of the Catholic faith. Father de la Parra was a native of Puebla de los Angeles (1655 - 1701): Beristain de Souza calls him "el mejor catequista de la America." And indeed he may have been, judging from the more than 20 editions of this work that Palau lists. Bound in vellum, edges mottled, faded title on spine. First dozen pages have foxing, but all is clear once the text actually begins with the first "platica" on page 1. Book exhibits the fine printing that was then characteristic of Spanish imprints; the font is particularly handsome. Palau (155513) lists the book under Martinez de la Parra, not Parra, and notes that some copies of this printing lack the date and show the printer as Figueroa, not Jolis, as is the case here.
[Anonymous]
Spanish language. Large octavo size, 9.5 x 6.5 in, ff 4, pp 966, plus plates showing possible table arrangements, and the way to cut meat and fish. Undoubtedly the most comprehensive cookbook for Mexican cuisine in the 19th century. Building on Galvan's first Mexican cookbook of 1831, but now greatl enlarged, as it's subtitle indicates it was intended for households of higher and lower class, though one may doubt how many of the lower class could afford such a deluxe cookbook. Nineteenth century Mexico had developeda strong affinity for things French and this is reflected here. Recipes from the French cookbooks of de Careme and de Beauvilliers are among the many ethnic Mexican dishes. Leafing through, I find tamales, enchiladas, atole, chiliquiles, chiles rellenos, etc. Binding is black pebbled buckram, raised bands and gilt titling on spine. marbled end-papers, hinges quite solid, paper fresh and without age toning. OCLC lists only two copies held by libraries of this edition. A splendid copy altogether of this important cookbook.
Azuela, Mariano
Octavo size, 7.5x5 in, pp [18], [225], with some chapter-headings and full-page illustrations by Clemente Orozco. Translated by E. Munguia, with an introduction by Carleton Beals. Originally published as Los de Abajo (Those from Below) in book form in 1916 in El Paso, whee he was living at the time. (The book was serialized previously in a Spanish language El Paso newspaper. Abuela (1873-1952) served as a doctor to Pancho Villa's troops during the revolution, and then doctoring, most to th epoor in Mexico City. Beals in his introduction provides charming picture of this gentle and simple man. The Under Dogs is often cited as the great novel of the Mexican Revolution, told from the viewpoint of the common soldier, and drawn from Azuela's own first-hand experiences in the field. The first edition in Spanish is notoriously difficult to find. But even the American first, which is the first in English is uncommon, especialy with a good dust jacket. This copy however meets the qualification. As the illustration shows, save for a minor chip of the dust jacket at the base and a split of sameat the top, neither of which affect the printing or image, it is virtually complete. The book itself is in excellent condition, with the slightest bit of foxing to a few pages.
