Promptuario manual mexicano. Que a la verdad podra ser utilissimo a los Parrochos para la ensenanza; a los necessitados Indios para su instruccion; y a los que aprenden la lengua para la expedicion by Paredes, Ignacio de - 1759

Mexico: Imprenta de la Bibliotheca Mexicana, 1759. First edition. Small quarto. Engraved frontis., [24] ff, 380, xc pp. Elaborate bordered and engraved title page, with facing frontispiece showing St. Ignatius and 2 other priests of his order, preaching to the New World, symbolized as a reclining woman, executed by Zapata. Also, a few pages further on, an escudo or coat of arms, presumably of the dedicatee of the work, Sr. Malo de Villavicencio, oidor of the Royal Audience of Mexico. Title hand-lettered on spine. Important and widely recognized work in Najuatl (the Aztec or Mexican language) and Spanish. Contains forty six "platicas", or conversations, "con sus exemplos, y morales exhortaciones", and six sermons appropriate for the six Sundas of Lent, the whole provinding material for every Sunday of the year. There is added also a sermon on "Nuestra Santissima Guadalupana Senora, con una breve narracion de su historia..." Aside from the introductory matter, and the introductions to each platica/ sermon, the entire book is in Najuatl. Fr. Paredes was, Beristain tells us, the most accomplished linguist of his day, who was president of the College of San Gregorio, which was intended for Indians only, none else being admitted. The printing is quite handsome, by one of the finest presses of the period, which belonged to Eguiara y Eguiren, Mexico's first bibliographer. García Icazbalceta, Lenguas, 57; Medina, Mexico, 4568; Sabin 58575; Palau, 212739. Small signed bookplate of Carl Eielheim on front free endpaper. Quite nice copy in original vellum binding with ties.