JUCHEREAU DE ST-IGNACE, Jeanne-Françoise, mère (1650-1723). Histoire de l’Hôtel-Dieu de Québec. Montauban: Jerosme Legier, [1751].

First edition of the chronicle of the oldest hospital north of Mexico, written by its Mother Superior. The Hôtel-Dieu in Quebec was founded in 1637 by Madeleine de Vignerot, who entrusted it to the Canonesses of St. Augustine of the Mercy of Jesus, an order of nuns devoted to nursing. The author of this history, Mother Juchereau, was elected superior of the monastery in 1683 at only 33 years old. A shrewd and powerful woman, Mother Juchereau spent her long career fiercely defending the hospital and her nuns from enemies both political and theological. She also introduced devotions to the Sacred Heart of Mary and the custom of kissing the hands and feet of the statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary to recognize her role as the honorary first superior of the community. “This important primary source for 17th-century history provides details about certain personalities and events not found elsewhere,” as well as a valuable source for the history of medicine and epidemiology in Canada (Dictionary of Canadian Biography). A particular detail of note is the inclusion of a short biography of Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, the Mohawk saint who died near Montreal in 1680. One of the manuscripts by her Jesuit hagiographer Pierre Cholenec resides in their archives, and it was likely the source of this entry. This copy includes the 28-page Table des Matières not mentioned by Sabin. Sabin suggests there was another edition printed in Paris, but Gagnon says that this is an error stemming from a variant (later?) title page stating the book could be bought in Paris. Rare at auction: according to RBH, the last copy to appear for sale was in 1971. Sabin 36825; Gagnon II, 992.

12mo (163 x 92mm). With 28-page Table and privilege leaf (light even toning). Modern red morocco gilt by Lortic fils, edges gilt.