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Archaeology of a Book: An experimental approach to reading rare books in archival contexts

Icazbalceta Binding

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1. Additional title page for the Advertencias, Volume Two Additional title page of volume two of the Advertencias features an unusual shield. /Text reads “Advertencias. Para los confessores de los Naturales. ¶Compuestas por el padre Fray Ioan Baptista, de la Orden del Seraphico Padre Sanct Francisco, Lector de Theologia, y Guardian del Convento de Sanctiago Tlatilulco: de la Provincia del Sancto Evangelio. Primera Parte. [This is followed by an image in a rectangular frame. Within the frame is a second, oval frame decorated with scrolls. Within this internal frame is a cross with protrusions perched on a heart pierced by arrows.] Con Privilegio. ¶En Mexico, En el convento de Sanctiago Tlatilulco, Por M. Ocharte. año 1600. / Image represents an exemplar held at the Benson Latin American Collection, Austin, Texas
2. Confessionario breve, en lengua mexicana y castellana Title page: Confessionario breve, en lengua Mexicana y Castellana by Alonso de Molina, printed by Antonio de Espinosa (1565). Printed in red and black, in blackletter. Title on top reads "Confessionario breve, en lengua Mexicana y Castellana: compuesto por el muy reverendo padre fray Alonso de Molina, de la orden del seraphico padre Sant Francisco." Text on bottom reads "En Mexico en casa de Antonio de Espinosa, Imprsr. / 1565". In between is a large square frame that fills most of the page. Text around outside edge in red. Interior shows a a floral wreath and the Franciscan emblem: a shield with five bleeding wounds. From an exemplar held by the John Carter Brown Library in Providence, Rhode Island.
3. Antonio Ricardo's Sermonario (1577). Title page of a Sermonario printed by Antonio Ricardo, in multiple font sizes, roman and italic. Title text reads "Sermonario [cut off in image] en lengua mexicana, donde se contiene (por el orden del missal nuevo romano,) dos sermones en todas las Dominicas y Festividades principales de todo el año: y otro en las Fiestas de los Sanctos, con sus vidas, y Comunes. Con un cathecismo en lengua mexicana y Española, con el Calendario. Compuesto por el reverendo padre Fray Iuan de la Anuniacion, Subprior del monasterio de Sant Augustin de Mexico. [Follow image shows a religious figure holding a building in the right hand and an open book in the left, arms outstretched in the shape of a cross, with praying figures kneeling behind him.] Dirigido al muy reverendo padre maestro fray Alonso de la vera cruz, Prouinicial de la orden de los Hermitaños de sant Augustin, en esta nueva España. En mexico, por Antonio Ricardo. M.D.LXXVII. Esta tassado en papel en [blank] pesos.
5. Automatic Transcription Output with Ocular Three versions of the same fragment from the Advertencias: one is a facsimile image of the original page; one is a facsimile image in black in white with language changes marked in red; the final is an automatic transcription of the original page, with language shifts automatically generated. Transcription labels languages correctly on all but one word, and shows few character errors, though it does insert extra spaces in the Nahuatl text. Text reads: “Ay proprio vocablo de logro, que es, tetech-tlaixtlapanaliztli, tetechtlamieccaquixtiliztli, ypara dezir diste alogro? Cuix tetech otitlaix”.
6. Bible Society Manuscript Note
7. Biblioteca Burgoa
8. Bilingual Catechism in the Advertencias
11. British Bible Society: Nahuatl Passage Page from the British and American Bible Society’s Columbian Exposition pamphlet includes bible passages translated into Muskokee, Cherokee, Delaware, Nez Perces, Mayan, and "Mexican, or Aztec.” Aztec text reads “237. Mexican, or Aztec. Ni mehuaz yhuan ni az campa câ in no tâtzin yhuan nic ilhuiz: No tâtzin é, oni tlâtlacô ihuicopa in ilhuicatl yhuan mix pan têhuatl. - (Luke xv. 18.). Facsimile from Archive.org, document held by the Princeton Theological Seminary Library
13. Challenges for Automatic Transcription
14. Cobre Reader comparing frontmatter of the Advertencias
15. Colophon of the Advertencias (Segunda Parte) The final page of volume two of the Advertencias, from a copy held by the Benson Latin American Collection, Austin, TX. Text is in roman font and divided in three parts, each separated on the page. Third part is the colophon, which reads: Excudebat Ludouicus Ocharte Figueroa, Mexici, in Regio Collegio sancte Crucis, sancti Iacobi de Tlati lulco. Anno Domini 1601. Image is from the copy held by the Benson Latin American Collection in Austin, Texas.
16. Corrected Index A page from the index of volume two of the Advertencias. As in most copies, in this exemplar, held by the Benson Latin American Collection in Austin, Texas, a correction has been pasted down. The corrected section (folio 3) reads: “Eandem auctoritatem habent Porvinciales Ordinum Mendicantium, & quibus ipso commiserint per Omnimoda Adria. 6. Fratribus Mendicanti b9 concessa. Vide in Elencho. 1. par. ver. Absolucion y absolver. sub sinem."
17. Correction Close-Up
18. Dedication Page of the Advertencias (Primera Parte) The first page of the dedicatoria to the Advertencias (Primera Parte). Text is in roman font, with a subtitle in italics and a floral initial “A”. Text reads: DEDICATORIA. ¶ Prologo Dedicatorio del Auctor, a Nuestro Padre Fray Pedro de Pila Commissario General de todas las Provincias y Custodias desta nueva España, Florida y Phil- lippina. &. Aunque por ser estas Advertencias parte del confesionario que a V.P. dedique los días passados, no era necessario dedicarlas de nuevo: Pero porque aviendo començado a imprimirlas (viendo el mal aparejo que para esto avia) las dexava, y reservaba para tiempo mas acomodado, y V. P. con imperio y potestad de Prelado Superior, y amor muy antiguo de vero Padre me mandò e solicitò con toda Facsimile image taken from an exemplar (V1E1) at the Benson Latin American Collection, Austin, TX.
19. Del convento de Santa Barbara The twelfth leaf (recto side) of an exemplar of the Advertencias held by the Biblioteca José María Lafragua in Puebla, Mexico. Page shows a manuscript note, in ink, with some water damage, that appears to read “ del conbento de S[anta] Barbar[a].” Text reads “Yndios con la publicacion deste Libro, para que con facilidad pueda venir a manos de sus Ministros, y se consiga el fructo que el piadoso zelo y buenos trabajos del Auctor pretende. Fecha en este convento de Sancto Domingo desta Ciudad de Mexico. a 11 dias del mes de Iunio de 1601. Fray Hernando Bacan. [Beneath the text is a large half-page floral design in the shape of a diamond.]
21. Final page of the Indulgencias in the Advertencias.
22. Florentine Codex illustrations Page from a facsimile edition of the Florentine Codex manuscript (Historia de las cosas de nueva españa) is divided into four boxes; each one contains a colored drawing of a god in the Nahua pictorial style. Clockwise from upper left: First image notation reads “vitzilobuchtli otro hercules, Capitulo primero fo. 1.” Second reads “Tezcatlipaca. otro jupiter. ¶Capitulo tercero. fo. ibidem." Third reads: Tlaloc tlamazquy. dios de las pluujas. Capitulo quatro fo. 2.” and fourth reads “Paynal. vicario de vitzilobuchtli. Capitulo segundo fo. ibidem." Image comes from the World Digital Library from a manuscript held at the Medicea Laurenziana Library in Florence, Italy.
23. Folio 14 (1) of the Advertencias The first of two folios in the Advertencias to be numbered “14”. This image shows the recto (numbered) side of the page, which begins with the text: “¶Si el penitente quisiere nombrar en la confession al complice del delicti, en ninguna manera lo permita el confessor, por que pecarria gravamente si lo permitiesse, como enseñan Doctores graves. Vease el padre fr. Manuel P. p. sum. c. 53. concl. 8. num. 9.” Image is from an exemplar held by the Benson Latin American Collection.
24. Folio 14 (2) of the Advertencias The second of two folios in the Advertencias to be numbered “14”. This image shows the recto (numbered) side of the page, which shows a running header “Los Con|e||ores.” and the number 14 before beginning with the text: “¶El confessor a cuyos pies vinieren Indios 16 de obraje, procure ante todas cosas acabar con los amos y dueños, que les perdonen lo que les han cogido, y apañado de su casa: pues hablando moralmente pocos ay que no hurten algo, en los dichos lugares: y estan casi impossibilitados de poder satisfazer, y con estos podran absolver a sus penitentes. Image is from an exemplar held by the Benson Latin American Collection in Austin, Texas.
27. Huehuetlahtolli, que contiene las plàticas que los padres y madres hicieron á sus hijos y á sus hijas, y los señores á sus vasallos, todas llenas de doctrina moral y politica.
28. Icazbalceta Binding
29. Icazbalceta original binding
30. Index without correction A page from the index of volume two of the Advertencias. In most copies, the ninth and tenth lines have been replaced with a pasted-in correction. In this exemplar, held by Tulane University’s Latin American Library in New Orleans, Louisiana, the correction is missing and the original text can be seen. The corrected section (folio 3) reads: “Eandem auctoritatem habent Porvinciales Ordinum Mendicantium, & quibus ipso commiserint per Pauli. 3. Bullam que incipit, Altitudo divine Consilij. Vide in Elencho. 1. par. ver. Absolucion y absolver. sub sinem."
31. Joaquín García Icazbalceta
32. Juan Bautista's Sermonario
33. Juan Pablos' Constituciones del Arzobispado... (1556) Title page of the Constituciones, printed by Juan Pablos in 1556. Page is overtaken by a large rectangular square frame. Inside the frame is an elaborate design featuring rope tassles and ribbons surrounding a shield decorated with animal faces including eagles and goats. The shield, divided in three parts, shows two buildings and a abstract emblem. At the bottom are two nopal cacti and ribbons with the text "PRO XPO LE GA TIO VIE FVVIGIMVR". Beneath the image, the title reads "¶Constituciones del acrobispado y provincia de la muy ynsigne y muy leal ciudad de tenuxtitlã Mexico de la nueva España". Image from an exemplar held by the Benson Latin American Collection in Austin, TX.
35. Manual de Adultos, Juan Pablos, 1540 One of two surviving leaves from the Manual de adultos, the earliest surviving book known to have been printed in Nueva España (printed by Juan Pablos in 1540). The book is in blackletter, with a decorated initial G in black, a red title and black text. Image shows that it is bound in marbled paper. The fragment is currently held by the John Carter Brown Library, where it is bound with Juan de Zumárraga’s Dotrino Breve (1544).
37. Marca de Fuego on a copy of the Advertencias held at the Biblioteca Franciscana
38. Marca de Fuego on an exemplar of the Advertencias (Biblioteca Francisco Xavier Clavigero)
39. Marca en Tinta
41. Matching Catchwords
42. Matching catchwords from folio 304 of the Advertencias
43. Melchior Ocharte's Confessionario (1599) Title page of the Confessionario en lengua mexicana y castellana. In Roman and Italic fonts, with a shield in the center identical to that of the Advertencias. / Text reads: *Confessionario* en lengua mexicana y castellana. ¶Con muchas advertencias muy necessarias para los Confessores. ¶Compuesto por el Padre Fray Ioan Baptista de la orden del Seraphico Padre Sanct Francisco, lector de Theologia en esta provincia del sancto Evangelio, y guardian del convento de Sanctiago Tlatilulco. [This is followed by a Franciscan shield in a circular, decorative frame. Image is divided in three parts; upper right shows two arms crossed with stigmata.] *Con privilegio* ¶En Sanctiago Tlatilulco, Por Melchior Ocharte. Año de. 1599. / Image from an exemplar held by the Benson Latin American Collection
44. Mismatched catchwords from folio 304 of the Advertencias
45. Mismatched catchwords in the Advertencias
47. Molina Title Page Title page of Molina’s Confessionario Breve, which was printed by Antonio de Espinosa (Mexico’s second printer) in 1565. The decorative title page is printed in black and red in Gothic font. Title text along top reads “Confessionario breve, en lengua Mexicana y Castellana: compuesto por el muy reverendo padre fray Alonso de Molina, de la orden del seraphic padre Sant Francisco.” This is followed by a large shield with red decoration, in a wreath of black and red roses and other decorations. Around the edge, a square frame features text that reads: (clockwise from bottom left) “Accipite Spiritum sanctum, quorum remiseritis peccata: remittuntur wis. Et quorum recin verities, recent sung. Joanis. 20.” bottom reads “En Mexico en casa de Antonio de Espinosa, Imp[re]ssor. 1565." Image is from an exemplar held by the John Carter Brown library.
48. Nameplate for Manual Arango Arias on a copy of the Advertencias Close-up shows a nameplate affixed to the front pastedown of an Advertencias exemplar. A circular frame reads “Manuel Arango Arias” over a laurel wreath, with Ex-Libris underneath. Inside is a shield in the shape of an open book divided in four pieces, each with an image. Clockwise from upper left, images are: 1. letters ABC 2. profile of a face 3. horizontal pen nib and 4. unclear, perhaps a paintbrush. Image also shows a manuscript note partially obscured by the nameplate. Pastedown suggests an early or original binding, and shows some wear including holes on the top. Exemplar is held by the Biblioteca Francisco Xavier Clavigero at the Universidad Iberoamericana.
49. Nicolas León Nameplate
53. Pear Thievery in the Advertencias Page from the Advertencias is in roman font, with running header reading “Aduertencias para”. Page discusses the nature of the sin of stealing pears. Text reads: “haga con malicia, y con animo de hacer daño pecca venialmente como dice S. Thomas. 2. secunde. q. 66. art. 6. y Navarro. c. 1. nu. 3. y Covarro. y otros. Porque en todos los preceptos, la poquedad de la cosa, o materia [salvo si ay menosprecio] libra de peccado mortal. La 2. que para saber quando la materia es leve, cuyo hurto es peccado venial, solamente se ha de considerar las circunstancias de las personas, Reynos, Provincias, y lugares, conviene a saber, se la persona a quien se hurta es rica, o pobre. Y asi segun Nava. Soto y la comu, si alguno hurta una cosa pequeña a un pobre, cuya falta le haze gran daño, o le causa grave pena, pecca mortalmente; como si uno hurtasse una Lesna a un çapatero, y unas Peras de un arbol, las quales su señor tenia guardadas para de ellas hazer un presente, como comunmente estos Naturales guardan sus frutillas, para este effecto. Lo. 3. se h de notar lo que dize el padre fr. Luys Lopez 2. p. Instructor ij conscientiae, que los criados que a sus señores hurtan oy un poco, y de aqui a un mes otro poco, y asi inerpolatim per menses, quo libet mese, a liquid modicum, de suerte que en fin de tres o quatro años, se venga a juntar, tanta quanti dad. Image shows folio 14v (second f14) from the copy held by the Benson Latin American Collection in Austin, Texas.
54. Pedro Balli's Confessionario Mayor (1578) Title page of the Confessionario Mayor, en la lengua Mexicana y Castellana. Text is framed by an elaborate classical design, with left and right columns depicting nude Adam and Eve, winged cherubs above and below. / Text reads: Confessionario Mayor, en la lengua Meixcana y Castellana. Compuesto por elmuy reverendo padre Fray Alonso Molina, de la orden del Seraphico Sant Francisco. En mexico. ¶En casa de Pedro Balli. Año de 1578. / Image is from an exemplar held by the Benson Latin American Collection.
55. Pedro Ocharte's Psalterium Title page of the Psalterium shows title framed by images of holy men. Six men along left and right side pose standing; men along bottom are reading or writing, while a holy figure on the top is surrounded by angels with wings. Title text in red and black roman script reads: "Psalterium, Aniphonarium Sanctorale, cu Psalmis, & Hymnis, positis in suis locis proprijs vniuscuiusq, diei sesti totiusanni, nue primo cum licentia excussum." Text followed by rectangular framed image of jesus on the cross, with two holy figures arms clasped in prayer. Text below reads "Mexici. Exeudebat Petrus Ocharte. M.D.LXXXIIIL."
58. Provenance note in a copy of the Advertencias Manuscript note registering 1810 acquisition of the Advertencias. Text reads "Año de 1810 Compre este, y otro del mismo autor, q[u]e su titulo es, Advertencias pa Confesores de los Naturales, aquel con el sello o marca del Carmen, ambos pa papel viejo, o escrito, pa coetes pa la mina de Stã. Textr. Caxxillo" Exemplar held by the Biblioteca Francisco Xavier Clavijero at the Universidad Iberoamericana.
59. Sahagun in the Advertencias
64. Standard Title Page, Part Two of the Advertencias The standard title page of volume two of the Advertencias. /Text reads “Advertencias. Para los confessores de los Naturales. ¶Compuestas por el padre Fray Ioan Baptista, de la Orden del Seraphico Padre Sanct Francisco, Lector de Theologia, y Guardian del Convento de Sanctiago Tlatilulco: de la Provincia del Sancto Evangelio. Segunda Parte. [This is followed by a Franciscan shield in a circular, decorative frame. Image is divided in three parts; upper right shows two arms crossed with stigmata.] Con Privilegio. ¶En Mexico, En el convento de Sanctiago Tlatilulco, Por M. Ocharte. año 1600. / Image represents an exemplar held at the Biblioteca Palafoxiana, Puebla, MX.
65. Standard Title Page, Primera Parte, Advertencias.... Title Page: Advertencias para los confessores de los naturales, by Juan Bautista, printed by Melchor Ocharte (1600). Text reads: "Advertencias. Para los confessores de los Naturales. Compuestas por el padre Fray Ioan Baptista, de la Orden del Seraphico Padre Sanct Francisco, Lector de Theologia, y Guardian del Convento de Sanctiago Tlatilulco: de la Provincia del Sancto Evangelio. Primera Parte. [Shield in round, decorated border. Interior divided in three. Crossed hands with stigmata in upper right corner.] Con previlegio. En Mexico, En el convento de Sanctiago Tlatilulco, Por M. Ocharte. Año 100." Facsimile of a copy held by the Benson Latin American Collection.

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Contents of this tag:
1. Marca en Tinta
2. Pear Thievery in the Advertencias Page from the Advertencias is in roman font, with running header reading “Aduertencias para”. Page discusses the nature of the sin of stealing pears. Text reads: “haga con malicia, y con animo de hacer daño pecca venialmente como dice S. Thomas. 2. secunde. q. 66. art. 6. y Navarro. c. 1. nu. 3. y Covarro. y otros. Porque en todos los preceptos, la poquedad de la cosa, o materia [salvo si ay menosprecio] libra de peccado mortal. La 2. que para saber quando la materia es leve, cuyo hurto es peccado venial, solamente se ha de considerar las circunstancias de las personas, Reynos, Provincias, y lugares, conviene a saber, se la persona a quien se hurta es rica, o pobre. Y asi segun Nava. Soto y la comu, si alguno hurta una cosa pequeña a un pobre, cuya falta le haze gran daño, o le causa grave pena, pecca mortalmente; como si uno hurtasse una Lesna a un çapatero, y unas Peras de un arbol, las quales su señor tenia guardadas para de ellas hazer un presente, como comunmente estos Naturales guardan sus frutillas, para este effecto. Lo. 3. se h de notar lo que dize el padre fr. Luys Lopez 2. p. Instructor ij conscientiae, que los criados que a sus señores hurtan oy un poco, y de aqui a un mes otro poco, y asi inerpolatim per menses, quo libet mese, a liquid modicum, de suerte que en fin de tres o quatro años, se venga a juntar, tanta quanti dad. Image shows folio 14v (second f14) from the copy held by the Benson Latin American Collection in Austin, Texas.
3. Icazbalceta Binding
4. Icazbalceta original binding
Contents of this tag:
1. Folio 14 (1) of the Advertencias The first of two folios in the Advertencias to be numbered “14”. This image shows the recto (numbered) side of the page, which begins with the text: “¶Si el penitente quisiere nombrar en la confession al complice del delicti, en ninguna manera lo permita el confessor, por que pecarria gravamente si lo permitiesse, como enseñan Doctores graves. Vease el padre fr. Manuel P. p. sum. c. 53. concl. 8. num. 9.” Image is from an exemplar held by the Benson Latin American Collection.
2. Final page of the Indulgencias in the Advertencias.
3. Dedication Page of the Advertencias (Primera Parte) The first page of the dedicatoria to the Advertencias (Primera Parte). Text is in roman font, with a subtitle in italics and a floral initial “A”. Text reads: DEDICATORIA. ¶ Prologo Dedicatorio del Auctor, a Nuestro Padre Fray Pedro de Pila Commissario General de todas las Provincias y Custodias desta nueva España, Florida y Phil- lippina. &. Aunque por ser estas Advertencias parte del confesionario que a V.P. dedique los días passados, no era necessario dedicarlas de nuevo: Pero porque aviendo començado a imprimirlas (viendo el mal aparejo que para esto avia) las dexava, y reservaba para tiempo mas acomodado, y V. P. con imperio y potestad de Prelado Superior, y amor muy antiguo de vero Padre me mandò e solicitò con toda Facsimile image taken from an exemplar (V1E1) at the Benson Latin American Collection, Austin, TX.
4. Standard Title Page, Primera Parte, Advertencias.... Title Page: Advertencias para los confessores de los naturales, by Juan Bautista, printed by Melchor Ocharte (1600). Text reads: "Advertencias. Para los confessores de los Naturales. Compuestas por el padre Fray Ioan Baptista, de la Orden del Seraphico Padre Sanct Francisco, Lector de Theologia, y Guardian del Convento de Sanctiago Tlatilulco: de la Provincia del Sancto Evangelio. Primera Parte. [Shield in round, decorated border. Interior divided in three. Crossed hands with stigmata in upper right corner.] Con previlegio. En Mexico, En el convento de Sanctiago Tlatilulco, Por M. Ocharte. Año 100." Facsimile of a copy held by the Benson Latin American Collection.
5. Folio 14 (2) of the Advertencias The second of two folios in the Advertencias to be numbered “14”. This image shows the recto (numbered) side of the page, which shows a running header “Los Con|e||ores.” and the number 14 before beginning with the text: “¶El confessor a cuyos pies vinieren Indios 16 de obraje, procure ante todas cosas acabar con los amos y dueños, que les perdonen lo que les han cogido, y apañado de su casa: pues hablando moralmente pocos ay que no hurten algo, en los dichos lugares: y estan casi impossibilitados de poder satisfazer, y con estos podran absolver a sus penitentes. Image is from an exemplar held by the Benson Latin American Collection in Austin, Texas.
6. Sahagun in the Advertencias
7. Pear Thievery in the Advertencias Page from the Advertencias is in roman font, with running header reading “Aduertencias para”. Page discusses the nature of the sin of stealing pears. Text reads: “haga con malicia, y con animo de hacer daño pecca venialmente como dice S. Thomas. 2. secunde. q. 66. art. 6. y Navarro. c. 1. nu. 3. y Covarro. y otros. Porque en todos los preceptos, la poquedad de la cosa, o materia [salvo si ay menosprecio] libra de peccado mortal. La 2. que para saber quando la materia es leve, cuyo hurto es peccado venial, solamente se ha de considerar las circunstancias de las personas, Reynos, Provincias, y lugares, conviene a saber, se la persona a quien se hurta es rica, o pobre. Y asi segun Nava. Soto y la comu, si alguno hurta una cosa pequeña a un pobre, cuya falta le haze gran daño, o le causa grave pena, pecca mortalmente; como si uno hurtasse una Lesna a un çapatero, y unas Peras de un arbol, las quales su señor tenia guardadas para de ellas hazer un presente, como comunmente estos Naturales guardan sus frutillas, para este effecto. Lo. 3. se h de notar lo que dize el padre fr. Luys Lopez 2. p. Instructor ij conscientiae, que los criados que a sus señores hurtan oy un poco, y de aqui a un mes otro poco, y asi inerpolatim per menses, quo libet mese, a liquid modicum, de suerte que en fin de tres o quatro años, se venga a juntar, tanta quanti dad. Image shows folio 14v (second f14) from the copy held by the Benson Latin American Collection in Austin, Texas.
8. Icazbalceta Binding
9. Icazbalceta original binding
10. Del convento de Santa Barbara The twelfth leaf (recto side) of an exemplar of the Advertencias held by the Biblioteca José María Lafragua in Puebla, Mexico. Page shows a manuscript note, in ink, with some water damage, that appears to read “ del conbento de S[anta] Barbar[a].” Text reads “Yndios con la publicacion deste Libro, para que con facilidad pueda venir a manos de sus Ministros, y se consiga el fructo que el piadoso zelo y buenos trabajos del Auctor pretende. Fecha en este convento de Sancto Domingo desta Ciudad de Mexico. a 11 dias del mes de Iunio de 1601. Fray Hernando Bacan. [Beneath the text is a large half-page floral design in the shape of a diamond.]
11. Matching Catchwords

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Advertencias at Home: Joaquín García Icazbalceta
One of the eminent nineteenth century collectors of early colonial books and documents was the Mexican historian Joaquín García Icazbalceta (1825-1894), known for his conservative politics and for his careful research into the history of the Spanish friars who worked as missionaries in sixteenth century Mexico. Known in particular for his 1881 biography of Juan de Zumárraga, Mexico's first archbishop, García Icazbalceta represented a generation of historians who took seriously the value of primary sources as historical documentation. In his introduction to the Zumárraga biography, he wrote,

"Nadie duda que el trascurso del tiempo y la falta ó pérdida de documentos son graves obstáculos para el esclarecimiento de la verdad histórica; pero acaso el mayor de todos es la consistencia que llegan á adquirir ciertos errores, nacidos de la ligereza ó mala fe de algun escritor, y adoptados sin exámen por los que vinieron despues."

García Icazbalceta's historical works sought to fight against the ignorance or falsehoods embedded in the historical record by returning to original sources, especially those that documented indigenous life and the work of the friars in sixteenth century Mexico. The collection of these sources served as an essential aspect of this project, and García Icazbalceta developed a respectable library of early colonial books, manuscripts, archival documents, and indigenous pictorials over the course of his life. He also published a definitive bibliography of sixteenth century Mexican printed books: the Bibliografía mexicana del siglo XVI: catálogo razonado de libros impresos en México de 1539 á 1600, con biografías de autores y otras ilustraciones.

García Icazbalceta's entry for the Advertencias, the final entry in his collection, is extensive, and includes a biography of the book's author, Fray Juan Bautista. I quote here only his introduction to the text:
Seis ó más ejemplares de las Advertencias he visto, y casi todos presentan diferencias entre si, comenzando por las portadas. Unos las tienen en orden, es decir, cada parte la suya, con el respectivo título de Primera ó Segunda: otros tienen en ambas el título de Primera. Existe además en mi ejemplar una portada suelta de la Segunda Parte, totalmente diversa de las comunes, con otro escudo, y con la vuelta blanca. Parece que no podría aplicarse al tomo correspondiente, porque los preliminares comienzan á la vuelta de la portada, y siendo blanca en esta reimpresión vendrían á quedar truncos dichos preliminares, por faltarles la primera página. Pero el caso es que tampoco en ellos hay conformidad. He visto ejemplares que los tienen repetidos por completo en ambos tomos: otros traen parte en cada uno, y otros no tienen ninguno en el segundo, sino todos en el primero. Esto es lo natural, y para esa clase de ejemplares se imprimió sin duda la nueva portada del segundo tomo, aunque no la he visto en ninguno.

It was García Icazbalceta's confused hand-waving over the title page and front matter of the Advertencias that inspired this project.

In addition to writing about the Advertencias, García Icazbalceta held two volumes in his personal collection: a full two-part set, and an additional copy of volume one. The additional copy of the volume one appears in what may be an original vellum binding with the stubs of leather ties and some kind of ink marking at the top. This volume preserves the book as a historical artifact as well as a document.

In contrast, García Icazbalceta rebound the original two-volume set of Advertencias in a binding that was consistent with the rest of his personal library. This likely included trimming the edges of the books (a process that removes any Marcas de Fuego), adding a decorative leather cover with gold inlay, and inserting new marbled end papers. We could argue that this process devalues the role of the book as a historical artifact; it also reincorporates it into an archive of nineteenth century Mexican history with a conservative nationalist agenda. This isn't to say that García Icazbalceta was extraordinarily political, or that he allowed politics to disrupt his research method. Rather, it points to the role that collecting and reframing historical documents always plays in narrating the past. As Michel de Certeau writes, "Thus the past is the fiction of the present."

This becomes more clear when we consider the role the Advertencias played in García Icazbalceta's collection. The Bibliografía mexicana del siglo XVI was the first in a five-part series that García Icazbalceta published on a private press. The rest of the collection is made up mostly of reprints of sixteenth century writers, from the Códice Franciscano del siglo XVI to the Códice Mendieta: documentos franciscanos siglos XVI y XVII. These books, many of which had remained in manuscript form until that point, provided new sources of information for researchers of early colonial Mexico who might not have their own private archive.

There is certainly a single thread running between García Icazbalceta's three projects: writing historical treatises, collecting historical documents, and printing resources for scholars of colonial Mexico. The thread has to do with the where García Icazbalceta locates the center (or perhaps the beginning) of Mexican history: on the mendicant friars in sixteenth-century Mesoamerica, and on the literate indigenous nobility who joined them in producing histories of Mexico's pre-columbian past, and in documenting (and resisting) the events of Spain's colonization. At the heart of the project is the production of written texts.

The García Icazbalceta collection was purchased by the Benson Latin American Collection from the heirs of García Icazbalceta in 1937. Continue on this path to learn more about institutional collections of the Advertencias in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries.