Deciphering Mayan Hieroglyphics
Léon de Rosny, 1876
ROSNY, Léon de (1837-1914). Essai sur le déchiffrement de l’écriture hiératique de l’Amérique Centrale. Paris: Maisonneuve et Cie., 1876.

First edition of this treatise on the hieratic writing of the Maya, in which the author tries to establish Mayan writing as equally sophisticated and elaborate as Egyptian and other ancient writing. The plates include reproductions of single pages of Codex Paris, Codex Cortesianus, Codex Borbonicus, Codex Troano, and Tonalamatl Aubin. “In this examination of nearly all the hieratic texts and inscriptions of the Mayas which are known, a large number of signs and hieroglyphics are recorded and classified, and many of them explained” (Pilling). No. 127 of 200 numbered copies. Pilling 3379; Sabin 73305.

Folio (430 x 269mm). 19 leaves of lithographic plates. 20th century red half morocco over glazed paper boards, spine gilt (spine sunned, edges and corners rubbed). Provenance: Joaquín Cortina Goribar (1906-1991, Mexican historian; bookplate).