Beschreibung:

Speculum coniugiorum.
Mexico City: Juan Pablos, 13 August 1556 (26 December 1550). 4to (209 x 151 mm). 686 ff., [2] pages, final blank. Large woodcut arms of the dedicatee, Virrey Luis de Velasco on title; table of consanguinity on page 307, woodcut chapter initials throughout. Italic type. Contemporary limp vellum with remnants of thong ties, ms. title to spine, edges stained red. Condition : title with worm hole and cancelled inscription at tail edge, scattered minor dampstains in lower margins, few underlines to text; vellum lightly soiled, lacking one tie. Provenance : early ownership inscription on front endpaper ("dio me este libro el p[adr] melchior gil calderon en el pueblo de Characane[?] a dos de abril ano de 1597"); early branded initials "S F" on top edges, presemably the mark of a Mexican Franciscan institution, but not in Sala, Marcas de Fuego. Acquisition : sale, Swann Galleries, April 13, 2000, lot 167, $57,500 first edition of this rare early mexican imprint; the first manual on marriage written and published in the new world. The manual was devoted to the study of the validity of marriage of the Indians before being Christians. Also, the first book printed in italic type in america , using fonts cut and cast in Pablos's shop by Antonio de Espinosa. Veracruz was a pioneering theologian, philosopher and Augustinian missionary. In 1537 he accompanied Father Francisco de la Cruz on a mission in New Spain. His work here centered on a return to the original texts of Aristotle. He intended to rid classical philosophy of vain and useless speculation and form a Renaissance of sorts in the new Spanish territories. Beyond instigating a school of thought previously unknown in the New World, Veracruz sought to reform previously set forth scholastic and humanistic claims. He was thoroughly acquainted with the native languages, making him an indispensable educator. In 1553, he became the first professor of the University of Mexico. Arthur Ennis, Augustinian historian and writer, writes of Veracruz, "His best single contribution to the missions of Mexico…is the Speculum coniugiorum, a book on moral theology, and especially the canon laws of matrimony, with the particular and very valuable purpose of providing a guide for solving the complicated cases concerning the newly converted Indians…In the first part…Vera Cruz…gave a complete exposition in sixty articles of the nature of the marriage contract and the imediments to a valid and licit contract…The second part…is more pertinent to the peculiar problems of the missions. In thirty six articles Fray Alonso discusses the nature and validity of marriage among the infidels of the New World and the nature of polygamy…The third part is composed of twenty articles on divorce" -- Arthur Ennis, Fray Alonso de la Vera Cruz (1957), pages 67-72. a rare work at auction. ABPC listing 5 copies at auction over 30 years, and Americana Exchange showing only 6 records. García Icazbalceta 28; Palau 459149; Sabin 98919.