Granados y Gálvez, 1778

Literary Dialogue between Indian and Spaniard
Granados y Gálvez, 1778
GRANADOS Y GÁLVEZ, José Joaquín (1734-1794). Tardes americanas, gobierno gentil y católico: breve y particular noticia de toda la historia indiana. Mexico City: Imprenta Matritense de Felipe de Zuñiga y Ontiveros, 1778.

First edition. "This interesting history of ancient Mexico, written in the form of a dialogue between an Indian and a Spaniard, and divided into seventeen 'Nights,' is very little known in Europe, and is very rare in Mexico. The author held several important offices in the latter country, among which was the superintendence of the Missions among the Mexican Indians ... On pp. 90-94 will be found a fragment of Aztec poetry, written by a poet of the euphonious name Notzahaulcoyotl, and translated into Spanish by the author. One of the most curious subjects treated in this work is that of the Mexican Calendar with the names of the days in Mexican and in Spanish" (Field 620). JCB III:2467; Medina 7000; Palau y Dulcet 108426; Sabin 28255.

Quarto (182 x 129mm). 3 engraved plates, woodcut in text, engraved coat of arms on first page of introduction (occasional wormholes, some repaired; title page and leaf 4 remargined). 19th-century sheep. Provenance: ownership stamps (removed on title page and final page and cut out on leaf C4, affecting a few words on censor page) – Joaquín Cortina Goribar (1906-1991, Mexican historian; bookplate).