Francisco de Ávila, 1717

Early Dictionary of Nahuatl
Francisco de Ávila, 1717
ÁVILA, Francisco de (c.1573-1647). Arte de la lengua mexicana. Mexico: Heirs of the widow of Miguel de Ribera Calderon, 1717.

First edition of an early dictionary of Nahuatl. The author was curate of Milpa-Alta, in the diocese of Mexico, and for twenty years taught the Mexican language in the convent of the Franciscan order of which he was a member. The work describes Nahuatl grammar in some detail, and at the end of the work give hundreds of Aztec phrases with a Spanish translation. Leclerc 2305; Medina 2478; Palau y Dulcet 20391; Sabin 2494.

Octavo (143 x 100mm). Complete with errata leaf. 19th-century French blue morocco by David and finished by Jules Domont, triple gilt fillet around boards, spine gilt, red morocco doublures, red silk endleaves, all edges gilt (a little wear along hinges).