Books and Manuscripts from Spain and Latin America from Libreria de Antano
- By Michael Stillman
Latin America and Spain.
Libreria de Antano has just released a catalogue of Fine Books & Manuscripts from Latin America and Spain, dated April 2012. Books from Latin America and its one-time colonial ruler (or rulers, including Portugal) are the specialties of this Buenos Aires bookseller. This catalogue covers six centuries (naturally, the earliest material pertains to Spain, not the as yet undiscovered America). Starting from a vellum manuscript dated 1457, it concludes with a 1983 letter from Fidel Castro to an American congressman. In between, all sorts of things were going on, and here are a few examples.
Item 3 is the first Spanish language edition of Petrus Apianus' Cosmographia, published in 1548. The book was originally published in 1524, but was so popular it ended up being printed in 14 languages. It contains information on astronomy, cartography, navigation, climate, geography and more. There is a section on the newly discovered world known as America. Apianus' first work was a world map he printed in 1520, which was long thought to be the first map containing the name “America” until the 1507 Waldseemuller map was discovered. However, it is believed Apianus did much to popularize that name for this new land. Priced at $12,500.
Item 9 is the first description of the Rio de la Plata, and it was written, surprisingly enough, by a German, not a Spaniard. The Rio de la Plata is not a typical river, something of a cross between a bay and a river. It is formed by the confluence of the Uruguay and Parana Rivers, and forms part of the border between Argentina and Uruguay. This book is titled Vera historia admirandae cujusdam Mavigationis... and the author was Ulrich Schmidel. Schmidel served under the Spanish Conquistador Pedro de Mendoza, accompanying him on his expedition of 1534. As such, he was one of the founders of Buenos Aires, and later of Asuncion. He spent almost 20 years in the area, but returned home after his older brother died, leaving him a sizable estate. It was after he returned home that Schmidel began putting his notes together and wrote about his experiences, including accounts of several Indian nations that soon disappeared. Schmidel's account is an essential history of the area as he was the only member of the expedition to write a book about it. $34,500.
Item 71 is a manuscript surrender order given by the Peruvian Indian leader and Inca descendant Tupac Amaru II after he was captured and his rebellion put to an end. The Indians lived under dreadful conditions, forced labor for minimal wages with heavy taxes. Taking the name of the last Inca Leader, Tupac Amaru II led his men in rebellion against Spanish authorities. They held out for a while, but in time, the Spanish overwhelmed the rebels. Tupac was captured, and two days later, on April 8, 1761, gave out this order to other rebels to surrender. The order is signed by General Joseph Del Valle, the man who captured the rebel leader. The cooperation was to no avail, as a month later, Tupac was brutally tortured and killed. $14,500.
Item 108 is a letter from John (Juan) Parish Robertson to Simon Bolivar, dated 1824. Robertson was a merchant in South America, having been there during Spanish times and revolutionary times. In 1824, he was in London, negotiating a loan on behalf of Bolivar. At this time, Spain was seeking assistance from the Holy Alliance to help regain is rebellious colonies. Robertson makes it clear he does not believe Bolivar has much to worry about. Spain is weak, and even if it got aid from others, he is convinced the United States and England would not allow them to proceed. As Robertson points out, “Spain, under the hateful rule of Fernando VII, has succumbed to the French army and does not even have any institutions, force, or income.” $5,200.
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Books and Manuscripts from Spain and Latin America from Libreria de Antano
- By Michael Stillman
A first edition of Malaspina.
Alessandro Malaspina was one of those great late 18th century explorers. His name should be as familiar as that of Cook and La Perousse. Instead, he is a virtual unknown. Such is politics. Malaspina was an Italian, but like Columbus, he sailed for Spain. In 1789, he set out on a massive exploratory and scientific voyage to Spain's various possessions around the world, and other places as well. It took five years and concluded as a circumnavigation. Malaspina, and his co-commander Jose de Bustamante visited South America, Mexico, California, Pacific Canada and Alaska. They searched for a Northwestern Passage, unsuccessfully like so many others. They would move on to the Philippines, New Zealand, and Australia, before finally reaching home five years later. They brought back a wealth of scientific and geographic knowledge, along with information about various Indian tribes. It should have been a great story, but things had changed in the Spanish court by the time they returned. Malaspina evidently found himself on the wrong side of some political intrigues and lost the King's favor. He was imprisoned for six years, and then exiled from Spain. He returned to Italy where he lived out his life. Since he had fallen out of favor, Malaspina's account of his voyage was suppressed. This is why he remains a virtual unknown despite his many accomplishments. Offered is a copy of Viaje politico-cientifico alrededor del mundo... the first edition, first issue of the complete account of Malaspina's voyage. It wasn't published until 1885, almost a century later. Item 154. $14,000.
Liberia de Antano may be reached at +5411 5272-1618 or info@antano.com.ar.
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