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Three volumes, large octavos, colored wrappers, pp 382; 271; 356. NOTE: This set has been very handsomely bound together in one volume, full Mexican calf, red morocco spine label, and gilt decorations; the wrappers have been bound in. Considered by historian Herbert E. Bolton to be one of the greatest books ever written in the West, Andres Perez de Ribas's history of the Jesuit missions provides unusual insight into Spanish and Indian relations during the colonial period in Northern New Spain. First published in Madrid in 1645, it traces the history of the missions from 1591 to 1643 and includes letters from Jesuit annual reports and other correspondence, much of which has never been found or cataloged in historical archives. Palou (222255) has much to say on the book:" Obra de extremo interes acerca de las actividades de los jesuitas en Sinaloa, California y Florida. Se describe profusamente estas provincias, las costumbres, danzas, ritos indigenas, llegada de los espanoles y la fundacion de diversas misiones. con un relato del martirio de nueve jesuitas en Florida, en el ano 1566. Describe las guerras entre los espanoles y los indigenes Yaqui Tepehuanes, etc. El propio autor en 1604 formo parte de una expedicion a Sinaloa y participo activamente en las empresas colonizadoras. Llego a ser Provincial y murio en Mexico. la pintura de los naturales es bastante benevola; los encuentra, en muchos puntos, superiores a los cristianos." The California referred to is, of course, Baja California. The editor, Raul Cervantes Ahumada, says of the author (I, 95): "Brillante y agil el estilo; interesante, clara y amena la relacion historica, y, sobre todas las cosas, una constante preocupacion por cuidar siempre la verdad. Asi escribia este singular maestro de historiadores." The Cabeza de Vaca Naufragios occupies the first 73 pages of volume one, so obviously deals only with the Southwest US & Mexican portions of this extensive work. I have found this to be uncommon on the market, both in the US and Mexico. Fine condition. Seller Inventory # 6945
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