Mexico;(1994): Noriega Editores. Quarto. 244 pages. The very scarce English language edition translated by John D. Lamb, illustrated with color photographic images of his architectural designs. Luis Ramiro Barragan Morfin (1802-1988) was a Mexican architect whose early education was as an engineer, but as he traveled to Spain and France, he became aware of Ferdinand Bac, Le Corbuiser and Jose Clemente Orozco which led him into the practice of architecture in Guadalajara from 1926 to 1936 before his move to Mexico City ultimately leading to the planning of the residential development Jardines del Pedegal, Mexico City. He was honored with a retrospective at the Museum of Modern Art in 1975 and became the second winner of the Pritzger Architectural Prize. A fine bright copy bund in pink cloth stamped in blind, housed within a colorful paper covered slipcase with minor wear to corners.
New York: Harper & Row, 1968. First Edition. Octavo. First American edition translated by Gregory Rabassa. 405 pages. Signed by the Peruvian writer who also won the Nobel Prize. The city is Piura and the jungle is on its edge. On its edge is "The Green House," the brothel founded by the stranger, Anselm. On the fringes of the city is the slum, La Mangacheria, where the police dare not go, filled with murderers, ugly smells and dirty bars. Bound in green cloth, spine lettering gilt, top edge blue-green, one corner only slightly bumped, some light scholarly pencil notations on the preliminaries and after the last page, near fine in a very good unclipped dust jacket showing light wear to spine ends and some darkening to rear panel.
Mexico: Talleres De Impresson De Estampillas y Valores, 1936. First Edition. Octavo. 43 pages, with the large folding map in the rear pocket. In 1531, Fray Juan de San Miguel of the Franciscan order, worked without rest in Michoacan. He learned the native language and lived among the Indians to whom he distributed land and water. He founded schools and hospitals. Humble, barefooted, but with great faith, he went on to Uruapan. Under his direction, the Indians learned manual arts, how to make organs for the choirs, rosary beads, small chocolate-mills, capstans, cotton gloves and stockings, the cutting of mill stones for grinding and to plant trees and crops. He instructed them in the use of different musical instruments, forming groups and awakening their deep sense of music. In the Uruapan mountains he re-organized Indian villages and founded others, giving them Christian names. It became a major center of commercial life. From the library of Philip D. Curtin, the scholar from John Hopkins who established for the first time the pattern of the slave trade. His work also examined the Yaqui in northern Mexico (the Chichimec frontier) and the Maya, with emphasis on the so-called second conquest that began shortly before independence from Spain and continued into the 1900s. A handsome copy bound in 1/4 brown cloth over pictorial paper covered boards lettered and decorated in green and black, light wear to spine ends, some toning to boards. Very nice.
Mexico: Callejon De Santa Ines, 1899. Quarto. 776 pages, with the 3 large folding maps including one of the Valley of Mexico, another of Mexico City and of the Country itself. The expansion of Mexico City in the period between 1870 and 1920 came from the incredible technolgical innovation when Mexico City became the financial and service center of the country. As Garza Merodio notes the rapid expansion of the railroad was followed by a water supply that enabled the superstructure to facilitate progress. These vast improvements are detailed by black and white photographs showing hundreds of businesses with addresses (many which have ceased to exist but dominate the literature of the early 20th Century. It show the railways, trams as well as a complete directory of for business and homes. One of the truly indispensible references on Mexico City as it was a major turning point. Bound in red cloth lettered and decorated in black and gilt,, spine lettered and decorated in black and gilt, light soiling to covers. text clean and bright without foxing. A very heavy book. Shipping cost will be more than the standard cost outside the US. (book weight 5.7 lbs).
San Francisco: Dewey Publishing Company, 1907. Small Thick Quarto. Author's edition, Inscribed: "With Christmas Greetings from the Author, December 23, 1921. xvi, 255 pages, vii, 130 pages with 144 pages of plates, illustrations, maps. 2 large distinct volumes in one. The beautiful cover of a Mexican with his sombrero were done by Maynard Dixon (see the MD on the cover). The first book is entitled: Among the Mines of Mexico; being the record of a journey from New York to Mexico, together with a description of the mining industry in Del Oro, Pachuca and Guanajuato as observed in 1905. The second book is entitled: Across the San Juan Mountains; being an account of a ride over the mountainous regions of Southwestern Colorado in September 1902. Cole in hs American Travelers to Mexico, 1821-1972 notes how the exploitation of the Mexican workers accounts for the resentment by the American owned companies. This copy originally had been sold from the William Reese company in Catalog 4, 1981. Bound in pictorial green cloth lettered and decorated in black, brown and pale green, some rubbing to binding. A very nice copy.
(Austin, TX, 1992): Published for the Barker Texas History Center By the Texas State Historical Association. Oblong Quarto. 135 pages, index. Between 1911 and 1926 Robert Runyon was a traveling photographer who left Brownsville, Texas to document not only the growth and development of the cities and towns in the Lower Rio Grande Valley but his spectacular photography of the "Mexican bandit" raids as well as the massive American military buildup along the border. A fine copy bound in brown cloth, paper spine label in near fine pictorial dust jacket.
Tucson: Arizona Silhouettes, 1954, 1954. First Edition. Octavo. Limited to 1500 copies of which this is #916. 303pp., index, maps, fold-out map - back pocket, b&w photographs. "The diary of Captain Juan Mateo Manje tells of seven of the nine trips of exploration he made with Padre Eusebio Francisco Kino to establish missions among the hostile Indians on the northern frontier of New Spain - a land unknown." Bound in black cloth lettered in gilt, , spine letteing gilt, a near fine copy in near fine clipped pictorial dust jacket, previous owner's bookplate.
New York: Appleton, 1932. Small Octavo. 294 pages. After an extended visit to his brother William's Mexican coffee plantation, Flandrau wrote Viva Mexico! in1908. This travel book was critically acclaimed for its observations of social customs and political life under Mexican President Porfirio Díaz. Tipped-in is a hand written letter to his editor J.B.L. Williams sent from St. Paul, Augst 5, 1937 regarding the new introduction which added 12 pages (i-xii): "Dear Mr. Williams, enclosed is the proof of my preface to Viva Mexico! which came this morning. It seems to be remarkably free from errors...one or two minor, unimportant changes. The spelling of "wintery" (page xii) appears to be a matter of preference. Milton and Dryden use "wintery" Longfellow spells it "wintry" Personally, I don't give a damn." Sincerely yours, C.M. Flandrau. Bound in dark blue cloth lettered in gilt, spine lettering gilt but fading, light wear to head, two numbers stamped on upper edge. A very good copy.
New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1931. First Edition. Quarto. 3 preliminary leaves, 49 plates. Count D'Harnoncourt was known for his vast collection of Mexican antiquities and his writing of children's books. This work became his best known and was intended for an adult audience. Each rich drawing is accompanied with social commentary. The one called Formal Call, shows the suitor meeting with the parents of Rosita as his suitability is considered before courtship can begin. The delightful image Bullfight Fans shows three men discussing the decline of bullfights--the Matador is not as good in the past, the bull is inferior to those--he comments as the three friends have been saying for twenty years. Bound in color pictorial paper covered boards, some rubbing along edges, soiling to spine,, colorful pictorial endpapers.
Merida, Yucatan, Mexico: The Maya Foundation, 1958. Limited Edition. Oblong Folio. . Facsimile edition, Limited to 1100. 140 unnumbered pages, profusely illustrated with thirty-six plates accompanied by descriptive text of Mayan architecture items with map. The images are particularly important. With the imagination of an artist and the precision of a scientist, the author has captured in pictures thirty-six restorations of magnificent Maya buildings as their builders saw the scenes more than a thousand years ago. Her original drawings are among the most beautiful ever done. The map is one that still remains essential for those who want to grasp the genius that developed in such a small area. Bound in 1/4 green cloth over tan paper covered boards lettered in gilt, spine lettering gilt, some wear to corners, light dampstain to lower corner of upper board, previous owner's name. A very good copy.
San Francisco: Whitton, Towne & Co, 1857. First Edition. Octavo. From the library of Barry Goldwater with his bookplate. 438 pages illustrated with 5 wood engravings. Wheat (writing under the pseudonym Cincinnatus) accompanied H.S. Washburn, U.S. Deputy Survey from Fort Yuma traveled from Tucson writing not only about a potential railroad route, mining, the banishment of Barron and Forbes and the Tepic conspiracy but also about an American filibustering expedition. Since it also has near contemporary notes on the Gadsen Purchase it remains an essential source on that turbulent but fascinating part of the last political settlement of the Southwest. [Howes W-313; Greenwood 896; Wagner-Camp 294b].
Tucson, Az; (1980): University of Arizona Press. First Edition. Zuniga, Francisco. Quarto. Signed by the author Francisco Zuniga, 151pp. 137 monochrome plates. Includes Reich's interview with the artists.. Chronology. List of exhibits. Notes. Bibliography. Index. A rich compendium on the art and influences of this Latin master artist from Mexico. A fine copy bound in black cloth stamped in gilt, spine lettering gilt, in near fine unclipped pictorial dust jacket.
Tucson; (2008): The University of Arizona Press. First Edition. Octavo. . First printing.199pp. From 1993 to 2000 the author interviewed and observed Latino youth between the ages of seventeen and twenty-four who lived in a barrio in a city on the California coast. He conducted forty life interviews, selecting six people to investigate in depth. Twenty of the participants worked at a fast-food restaurant, while the other twenty worked at a community cultural cent. This is one of the most extensive studies of barrio youth available, It concludes with a discussion of social justice education for Latino youth and how this educational approach meets their academic needs while providing opportunities for self-determination and community activism. A fine bright copy bound in red cloth, spine lettering black, in fine bright pictorial dust jacket.
Norman, OK; (1992): University of Oklahoma Press. First Edition. Octavo. First printing. xviii, 237 pages, index. bibliography. A comprehensive study in the events of early 20th Century Texas where the anarchist philosophy of Ricardo Flores Magon's PSD [Plan of San Diego] a plan set in south Texas in the years 1915-1917. While it was a grass roots movement (largely with illiterate but followers who felt disenfranchised), the threat of the German attempt to subvert the US claim to the southwest, allowed Wilson and the President of Mexico Carranza to take control and end the threat. A comprehensive study. Bound in red cloth, spine lettering white. A fine copy in fine pictorial dust jacket.
Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press, 1949. First Edition. Octavo. 183p. index. bibliography. map on endpapers. Inscribed by Frances Gillmor. A leading Southwest archaeologist has produced the definitive literary portrait of Netzahualcoytl, Aztec poet king, who lived half a century after Cortez. It is thoroughly documented by the author and picturesquely illustrated by Ola Apenes of Mexico. Frances Gillmore spent much time in studying not only Mexican archaeology but also the Nahuatl language. He certainly was the most original personality in pre-Columbian America. Bound in blue cloth, lettered and decorated in purple. A very good copy in unclipped pictorial dust jacket with light wear to spine ends and edges, chip to on one corner.
New York: Atheneum, 1991. First Edition. Octavo. First printing, signed by the author. 330(1)pp., translated from the Spanish by Margaret Sayers Peden. Eva Luna was first published in 1988. Eva Luna was a story teller. This new novel is about the stories Eva Luna tells and about the people whom she tells the stories to. Bound in goldenrod paper covered boards lettered in red foil, backed in black cloth, spine lettering gilt, a fine copy in near fine pictorial dust jacket with just a hint of toning to rear panel.
Denver; (1883): The Perry Publishing Company. Thick Large Octavo. 672 pages, index, frontispiece, illustrations, plates, nice color folded map with one small closed edge tear to fold. Ober who traveled over 10,000 miles throughout Mexico (over 1,000 into the deep mountainous communities), met with Gen. Crook and discussed the Apaches on Sonora (just as John W. Kitchens notes in the Journal of Inter-American Studies that this is the earliest travel book to Mexico that deals with the rurales and it was soon an area of study by subsequent ethnographers). Since Ober was a serious ornithological scholar, it is not strange that he named a number of species especially of hawks. Many consider his astute observations on life in Mexico essential for understanding the diverse life and culture of Mexico in terms of its culture and political life. Bound in goldenrod pictorial cloth lettered and decorated in black and gilt pictorial spine, minor wear to corners, some finger soiling, new endpapers (possibly recased as it has not been rebacked).
New York; (1930): Architectural Book Pub Co. Quarto. [3]-173 pages including frontispiece, illustrations, plates. Garrison's book showed the beauty of the architecture not rooted in the Spanish Colonial style. He found anonymous and rural buildings which were not only neglected by the professionals but which were of influence in the Southwestern U.S. His extensive measurements and detailed drawings make this an essential contribution to the field. Southern California was greatly influenced by this architecture. Bound in black cloth lettered in gilt, spine lettered and decorated in gilt, decorative endpapers, wear to spine ends and corners. A good copy.
Berkeley; (1997): University of California Press. First Edition. Octavo. 347p. index. bibliography. notes. How Sonora was transformed after being hemmed in by mountains, Apaches and other issues as the railroad opened up the entire region. A very important contribution to a study of the region. Bound in tan paper covered boards backed in green cloth, spine lettering gilt. A fine copy in fine pictorial dust jacket.
New York: Fordham University Press, 1992. Thick Octavo. . 692p. index. Bibliography. A marvelous translation of Weckman's work. When issued in Spanish in 1983, it established how extensive medieval thought dominated virtually every aspect of Spain's culture so that very little of the scholarship of the Renaissance was of influence. The forty short chapters deal with virtually every aspect of Spanish life ranging from the role of the Holy Roman Empire to topics on chivalry, hunting, astrology, theater and dance as well as the intense devotion including the flagellants. The chapter on the Medieval Origins of the Encomienda and Hacienda provide remarkable insight how the Ordinances of Alcala of 1348 became endemic to Spanish life and until the Fall of Granada in 1492 was a dominant strain in church and state. Bound in green cloth, spine lettering gilt. A fine copy in near fine pictorial dust jacket.
