THE HISTORY OF THE CONQUEST OF MEXICO BY THE SPANIARDS

The Classic On Latin America

THE HISTORY OF THE CONQUEST OF MEXICO BY THE SPANIARDS

By Antonio de Solis, translated by Thomas Townsend

1724

First edition in English of this major source on the history of Spain's colonization of the Americas — with beautiful engravings of maps, Tenochtitlan (now Mexico City) and its Templo Mayor, Spaniards meeting with Mesoamericans, and more.

Very good.

Price: $1,500.00

THE HISTORY OF THE CONQUEST OF MEXICO BY THE SPANIARDS

"La obra de Solis, sin duda la más popular de cuantas se han escrito de historia americana" — José Toribio Medina

First published in Spanish in 1684, this was "undoubtedly the most popular history of America that had then been written" (Cox, paraphrasing Medina, II.239). Drawing on archival sources like the letters of Cortés, Solis created an account of the three years leading to the fall of Tenochtitlan with "an abundance of data concerning the intimate lives of the Indians" (ibid.), particularly in the Aztec Empire where Moctezuma Xocoyotzin (aka Montezuma) reigned before the Spanish seized the city. Going through many editions, Solis's history had far-reaching impacts on the European perception of indigenous culture in the Americas. A handsome copy, retaining the contemporary boards.

Read more: English Short Title Catalogue (ESTC), T135491; Sabin, Bibliotheca Americana, 86487; Cox, A reference guide to the literature of travel, II.239; Medina, Biblioteca hispano-americana, 1773.

The Object

London: For T. Woodward [...] and J. Hooke [...] and J. Peele, 1724. Folio, 14'' x 9''. Contemporary Çambridge-style calf rebacked with original label laid down, raised bands. Red speckled edges. Illustrated with 9 copperplate engravings (frontispiece portrait of Cortés, four single-page plates, one double-page plate, one folding plate, and two maps). [18], 163, [1]; 252; 152 pages. Wear and rubbing to boards. Toned repairs to folding plate. Some spotting and toning, else largely crisp.

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