Exhibit Catalogue

Adalbert, Prinz von Preussen. Travels of His Royal Highness Prince Adalbert of Prussia, in the South of Europe and in Brazil, with a Voyage up the Amazon and Xingú. Translated by Sir Robert H. Schomburgk and John Edward Taylor. London, 1849.

A great traveler in his youth, Adalbert was to become a leading figure in the reorganization of the German artillery and the development of the German navy.

Agassiz, Louis. A Journey to Brazil. By Professor and Mrs. Louis Agassiz. Boston, 1868.

Agassiz was a world-renowned naturalist and geologist, specializing in fishes and glaciers. He was born in Switzerland in 1807 and emigrated to America in 1846, accepting a professorship at Harvard. His youthful work on the fishes of the Amazon led him to make an expedition to Brazil in 1865. This work is a fascinating account of the year he spent studying the natural wonders of that country.

Alcaraz, Ramón. The Other Side; Or, Notes for the History of the War between Mexico and the United States, Written in Mexico. New York, 1850.

Translated by Albert Ramsey, a colonel in the American army, this book is one of the best sources on the conduct of the war. It is critical of General Santa Anna.

Bellin, Jacques Nicolas. Carte reduite du golphe du Mexique et des isles de l'Amérique: dressée au despost des cartes et plans de la marine pour le vaisseaux au roy. Paris, 1774.

Bellin was a famous French cartographer, who specialized in maps of coasts and sea lanes. His maps were to be consulted officially by the royal navy and other commissioned ships.

Bourne, Benjamin Franklin. The Captive in Patagonia, or, Life among the Giants: A Personal Narrative. Boston, 1853.

The author was bound for California on the schooner L. Pringle, when he was captured by the Patagonians, with whom he stayed for two years. After his escape, he at last made it to the California gold mines in 1850.

Brand, Charles. Journal of a Voyage to Peru: A Passage across the Cordillera of the Andes in the Winter of 1827, Performed on Foot in the Snow; and a Journey across the Pampas, by Chas. Brand. London, 1828.

Brand was sent to South America in 1827, probably as an agent of the British Mining Company. His narrative of the crossing of the Andes is filled with action-packed tales of adventure, such as the description of how the party descended the Cuesta de Concual.

Bullock, William. A Description of the Unique Exhibition called Ancient Mexico: Collected on the Spot in 1823 by the Assistance of the Mexican Government, and Now Open for Public Inspection at the Egyptian Hall, Piccadilly. London, 1824.

Bullock arrived in Mexico City in 1823 and was one of the first European travelers to Mexico since the Seventeenth Century.

______________. Six Months’ Residence and Travels in Mexico; Containing Remarks on the Present State of New Spain. London, 1824.

Bullock arrived in Mexico City in 1823. "The text details much of contemporary Mexican life, while the fine plates, based on Bullock’s own drawings, show natives and landscapes."

Buffon, George Louis Leclerc, Comte de. Oeuvres complètes de Buffon. Paris, 1845.

The famous French naturalist was born in 1707. In 1739 he was appointed keeper of the royal gardens and museum, which determined his future course of study. "His great work is the Histoire naturelle, générale et particulière; and it can undoubtedly claim the merit of having been the first work to present the previously isolated and apparently disconnected facts of natural history in a popular and generally intelligible form. The sensation which was made by its appearance in successive parts was very great, and it certainly effected much good in its time by generally diffusing a taste for the study of nature."

Cervantes, Enrique. Guanajuato en el año de mil novecientos treinta y siete. Mexico, [1941].

Cervantes was born in 1898 and was a prominent engineer and restorer of ancient monuments in Mexico. Among his major publications, however, are collections of photographs of colonial Mexican cities and states, including Guanajuato. He also published several volumes of historical documents and papers. He died in 1953.

Cisneros, Evangelina. The Story of Evangelina Cisneros Told by Herself [and] Her Rescue by Karl Decker. New York, 1898. Illustrations by Frederic Remington.

Evangelina Cisneros was imprisoned by the Spanish in Havana for her alleged part in an uprising. She was 18, she was beautiful, she was innocent. Thousands of letters poured in from women in America and England, demanding her release. The New York Journal quietly sent a young reporter, Karl Decker, to rescue her. He hacked his way into the prison, lifted her out the window, and they sped away into the night. The story was the perfect embodiment of the anti-Spanish feelings of the American people.

Columbus, Christopher. Report from the New World. Pargue, 1992.

The text is from the letter written by Columbus to the Spanish Court, describing his journeys to the "Indias." The etchings are by Czech artist Eva Haskova. The binding is designed and executed by Jan and Jarmila Sobota. The cover is parchment, with gold tooling and acrylic paint. It depicts the Niña, Pinta, and Santa Maria sailing inexorably to the New World. The "treasure" box is leather and suede, with a map silk-screened onto plexiglass.

Fer, Nicolas de. Le Vieux Mexique ou Nouvelle Espagne, avec les costes de la Floride, faisant partie de l’Amérique Septentrionale. Paris, 1702.

Nicolas de Fer was geographer to the French royal family and was known for his elegant cartography. Maps were often used to support the land claims of one country against its rivals, in this case France and Spain.

Gage, Thomas. A New Survey of the West-Indies: or, the English American his Travail by Sea and Land . . . London, 1677. 3rd edition.

This work created a sensation when it was first published in 1648. Gage was a Dominican missionary who later joined the Church of England. This work is "the first to give the World a description of the vast regions from which all foreigners had been jealously excluded by the Spanish authorities. It is supposed to have incited the attacks on the Spanish territories and colonies during Cromwell’s time."

Graham, Maria (Lady Callcott). Journal of a Residence in Chile, during the Year 1822. And a Voyage from Chile to Brazil in 1823. London, 1824.

Maria Graham traveled extensively with her father, Admiral George Dundas, and then with her husband, Captain Thomas Graham, who died in 1822 during their trip to South America. She returned to London in 1824, and in 1827 married Sir Augustus Wall Callcott, the celebrated artist. She died in 1842, after being an invalid for several years. Her many works include travels to India, Rome, Brazil, and Chile; essays on artists; and, her most famous, Little Arthur’s History of England.

_________________________. Journal of a Voyage to Brazil, and Residence there, during Part of the Years 1821, 1822, 1823. London, 1824.

Humboldt, Alexander von and Aimé Bonpland. Vues des cordillières et monumens des peuples indigènes de l’Amérique. Paris, 1810.

Humboldt was a great German scientist and explorer, and Bonpland was a botanist. They made an expedition to America in 1799-1804 and sought to investigate geography, botany, zoology, archaeology, and native customs. This book "is most notable for its remarkable aquatint plates of scenes in South and Central America, particularly the magnificent double-page plate of the great volcano of Chimborazo in the Andean highlands. . . . Humboldt’s treatment of [codices] is a landmark in the rediscovery of pre-Columbian civilizations."

L’Isle, Guillaume de. L’Amérique Méridionale. Amsterdam,1722.

De L’Isle became the Royal Geographer of France in 1718. His scientific approach to cartography created maps of great accuracy and influence. His maps were widely copied, particularly those of the Americas.

Kidder, Daniel P. and Daniel Cooley Fletcher. Brazil and the Brazilians, Portrayed in Historical and Descriptive Sketches. Boston, 1857.

Kidder and Fletcher were sent to Brazil as missionaries in 1837. Because of their observations and flair for description, their work is "infinitely better than most books about foreign lands by missionaries." In fact, it "became a classic book about Brazil for North Americans."

Knowles, Charles. An Account of the Expedition to Carthagena. London, 1743.

The British fleet unsuccessfully besieged Carthagena in March and April, 1741, even with the aid of over 5,000 land troops. This bungled effort led to many state inquiries in which the untried nature of the officers and the men, and the poor condition of the arms and ordnance, were brought to light. The deplorable treatment of the common British sailor in this campaign was satirically portrayed by Tobias Smollett in his Roderick Random.

La Condamine, Charles Marie de. Relation abregée d’un voyage fait dans l’intérior de l’Amérique Méridionale [and] Lettre à Madame *** sur l’émeute populaire excitée en la ville de Cuenca au Perou, le 29. d’Aout 1739. Paris, 1745-1746.

In order to measure the latitude of Peru, La Condamine chose "the dangerous course of crossing Brazil by navigating the Amazon. His account of this journey was ‘of . . . great importance, because for the first time the long course of the Amazon was traversed by a man of science capable of making astronomic observations, and determining longitudes’ (Borba de Moraes). The engraved map of the river acompanying the text was drawn by La Condamine, and is the first in which the latitudes were observed."

Larreta, Enrique. La gloria de Don Ramiro. Buenos Aires, 1933.

This production is a special edition made to honor the 25th anniversary of the first appearance of this famous Argentinian historical novel. It is bound in horsehair and rawhide.

Las leyes de recopilación. Madrid, 1745. 3 vols.

Known as Neuva recopilación, these volumes contain a compilation of the Spanish laws that were published by Philip V. They contain royal decrees, laws of the Catholic Church, judicial judgments, laws of provincial governors and courts, and specific laws relating to the governance and trade of Spanish America. The compilation of these latter laws became known as Recopilación de las leyes de las Indias.

Merian, Matthaeus. America noviter delineata. Amsterdam, 1633.

Mitchell, S. Augustus. A New Map of Texas, Oregon, and California, with the Regions Adjoining, Compiled from the Most Recent Authorities. Philadelphia, 1846.

One of the most widely distributed maps showing Texas as a new state. It was accompanied by a booklet for emigrants containing geographical and cultural information. Mitchell’s maps "were among the most popular and influential in distributing new knowledge about American expansion to a growing, eager audience."

Modern miniature reproductions of two famous documents in the history of Mexican printing.

The contract of 12 June 1539 between Juan Cromberger and the government of Seville to establish a printing office in Mexico. (Rpt. Mexico, 1964).

The Royal Letter Patent of Privileges to the Heirs of Cromberger, 6 July 1542. (Rpt. Mexico, 1964).

Münster, Sebastian. Tabula novarum insularum. Basel, 1550. From his Cosmographia universalis.

Münster was a fine example of a Renaissance humanist. He was schooled in Latin and Greek, was a professor of Hebrew, and was the "foremost German cartographer of his day." His great work, Cosmographia universalis, was first published in 1544, with additional maps added in later editions. His map of the New World reveals that he depended on both factual sources (the voyages of Verrazzano and Magellan) and fanciful accounts describing South America as the region of giants and cannibals. His use of the name "America" did much to solidify this designation in the minds of Europeans. "Münster’s map of the New World was probably the single most widely distributed map of America of the age."

Nieuhof, Johannes. Voyages and Travels into Brasil and the East-Indies by Mr. John Nieuhof. Translated from the Dutch original. London, 1732.

Nieuhof was an agent of the Dutch West India Company and lived in Brazil for nine years. "The account of Brazil contains many precious documents and include the history of Brazil, from its first discovery by the Portuguese, both civil and ecclesiastical." He subsequently joined the East India Company but, on returning to the east from Holland, was captured and murdered by the natives of Madagascar.

Nuñez Cabeza de Vaca, Alvar. Relation that Alvar Nuñez Cabeça de Vaca gave of what befel the armament in the Indias whither Pánphilo de Narváez went for governor (from the years 1527 to 1537) when with three comrades he returned and came to Sevilla. Printed from the Buckingham Smith translation of 1871. San Francisco: Grabhorn Press, 1929.

Originally published in 1555, the Relación describes Cabeza de Vaca’s journey from Florida, to Mississippi, across Texas, and into Mexico. "The book is best known for its Texas interest, and all commentators note that it is the first work on Texas, the first American travel account, the ‘cornerstone of the history of the Spanish Southwest’ (Streeter), and in every way one of the earliest and most important accounts of Europeans in North America." This particular edition of the Buckingham Smith translation is, in addition, one of the great exemplars of American fine printing.

Paz Soldán, Mariano Felipe. Atlas geográfico del Perú. Paris, 1865.

After experience as a lawyer and a judge, Paz Soldán was sent as minister to Colombia and then journeyed to the United States, where he studied the penitentiary system. He established an improved system in Peru and was made director of public works. Subsequently, he became minister of foreign relations and of justice. He died in 1886.

This Atlas was published by the order of President Castilla of Peru. It contains many detailed maps of geographic features, plans of cities, and splendid lithographs of city views and native peoples.

Peñafiel, Antonio. Monumentos del arte mexicano antiguo: ornamentación, mitologia, tributos y monumentos. Berlin, 1890.

Peñafiel was born in 1839 and became a physician and historian. He directed Mexico’s first general census, he founded the Sociedad de la historia natural, and he designed the Mexico pavilion for the Paris Exposition in 1889. He died in 1922. He authored several books on Mexican history and culture, but the Monumentos is his masterpiece. It has been called "one of the most important and learned works on Mexican Antiquities," with detailed lithographic plates showing pottery, metalwork, sculpture, codices, and archaeological remains.

Picart, Bernard. The Ceremonies and Religious Customs of the Various Nations of the Known World; together with Historical Annotations, and Several Curious Discourses equally Instructive and Entertaining. London, 1733-1737.

These volumes include religious rites of Judaism, Catholicism, Protestantism, Mahometanism, Hinduism, Buddhism, and various religions of the "savages" of America and the East Indies. Both the writings and the plates are adapted from earlier works, and thus carry forward common misrepresentations of the indigenous American peoples.

Pratt, Elma. Mexico in Color. Mexico, 1947.

This magnificent limited-edition portfolio of silk-screen prints features costumes of Janitzio, Uruapan, Jaracuaro, Jalisco, Etla, Chiapas, Oaxaca, Ixtepec, and Taxco.

Rickard, Thomas Arthur. Journeys of Observation. San Francisco, 1907.

Rickard was a well-known mining engineer and historian of mining and culture. This book contains his observations made on his journeys through Mexico and Colorado.

Smith, J. Mexico and West Indies. London, 1824.

Solis y Rivadeneyra, Antonio de. Istoria della conquista del Messico. Firenze, 1699.

First Italian edition of this classic account of the conquest of Mexico by Cortés in 1520. "Undoubtedly the most popular history of America" in its time, it also contains "an abundance of data concerning the intimate lives of the Indians—their religious creed and rites, idols, hymns; their industries, arts; games and recreations, not the least of which were represented by Montezuma’s court jesters; [and] their methods of education."

Squier, Ephraim George. Nicaragua: Its People, Scenery, Monuments, and the Proposed Interoceanic Canal. New York, 1852. 2 vols.

Squier was born in New York in 1821 and became a noted journalist, scientist, and prolific author. In 1849 he was appointed chargé d’affaires for Central America. In this capacity he was able to gather the most exact data concerning these countries and thus produce the most accurate maps up to that time. He was also interested in the native cultures and studied their languages and monuments. His analysis of political affairs, particularly those involving Great Britain, however, was clouded by his firm belief in doctrine of "Manifest Destiny." He died in 1888.

Summario de las Gracias, e Indulgencias de la pia y devota hermandad, y cofradia bajo de la invocación del glorioso bienaventurado San Homo-Bono . . . Mexico City, 1784.

A summary of the Indulgences granted to the Guild of Master Tailors of the Church of the Holy Trinity in Mexico City by Pope Innocent XII in his apostolic brief of 1698. St. Homobonus is the patron saint of cloth makers, tailors, and businessmen. He died in 1197. This piece is an excellent example of early printing in Mexico.

Stephens, John Lloyd. Incidents of Travel in Central America, Chiapas, and Yucatan. London, 1854.

In 1839 and again in 1841 Stephens and Frederick Catherwood traveled to Central America to discover and examine its archaeological sites. First published in 1841, this work has been called "probably the most widely read book on American archaeology." In particular because of detailed and clear illustrations, it was the first publication "to awaken interest in the Antiquities of Central America." He became a director of the American Ocean Steam Navigation Company and the president of the Panama Railway company. He died in 1852.

__________________. Incidents of Travel in Yucatan. New York, 1868.

    In 1839 and again in 1841 Stephens and Frederick Catherwood traveled to Central America to discover and examine its archaeological sites. This book "describes the most extensive travels executed till that date [i.e., 1841] by a stranger in the peninsula" and enjoyed a wide popularity. He became a director of the American Ocean Steam Navigation Company and the president of the Panama Railway company. He died in 1852.

Tratado de paz, amistad, limites y arreglo definitivo entre la República Mexicana y Los Estados Unidos de America . . . Queretaro, 1848.

This is the first printing of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, which ended the war with Mexico and gave to the United States a vast territory including California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico.

Ward, Henry George. Mexico in 1827. London, 1828.

Ward was sent to Mexico as minister plenipotentiary in 1823, returning to England in late 1827. Subsequently, he was appointed governor of Ceylon. This is a classic book on Mexico and Texas in the 1820s. "In addition to its historic importance for Mexico and Texas, this set is also interesting for 19th century illustration in that it contains black and white and handcolored lithographs, aquatints, wood engravings, and copper engraved maps."

Whitney, Caspar. The Flowing Road: Adventuring on the Great Rivers of South America. Philadelphia, 1912.

This work chronicles Whitney’s five voyages by canoe through Argentina, Brazil, and Venezuela. He was an astute observer of nature, and his story is illustrated with his photographs.

Wilcocke, Samuel Hull. History of the Viceroyalty of Buenos Ayres; Containing the Most Accurate Details Relative to the Topography, History, Commerce, Population, Government, &c. &c. of that Valuable Colony. London, 1807.

Buenos Aires was briefly a British Colony in 1806-1807. Wilcocke was a minister of the English Church in Zealand (Netherlands) and authored a well-known Dutch-English dictionary.

Wyfliet, Cornelius. Hispania nova. Louvain (?), 1597.

    In 1597 Wyfliet published the first atlas devoted to the lands of America. His popular maps did for the New World what Ptolemy’s had done for the Old World.

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