Fully engraved plate book on a Mexican saint

Lot 51
16.10.2020 10:00UTC +00:00
Classic
Starting price
$ 1 000
AuctioneerCHRISTIE'S
Event locationUnited Kingdom, London
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ID 411458
Lot 51 | Fully engraved plate book on a Mexican saint
Estimate value
$ 2 000 – 3 000
MONTÉS DE OCA, José María (b. 1772). Vida de San Felipe de Jesús, proto mártir de Japón y patrón de su patria, México. Se gravó el año de 1801. Mexico City: Montés de Oca, 1801.

First edition of a fully illustrated life of the first Mexican-born saint, San Felipe de Jesus, martyred in Japan and made patron saint of Mexico City. It is one of the earliest entirely illustrated books issued in Mexico and consists of engraved scenes from the life of Saint Philip of Jesus (1572-1597), with plates by the important Mexican illustrator and engraver, José María Montés de Oca. Copies of the work sometimes have as many as 30 plates, but it is frequently found with fewer. Palau y Dulcet 363045; Sabin 76029.

Quarto (220 x 157mm). Engraved title page, 28 (of 30) leaves of plates, all uncut (lacking plates “Es preso el bienavdo. Felipe de Jesus” and “Padece con sus gloriosos compañeros” found in other copies). 20th century marbled paper resembling mottled sheep. Provenance: Joaquín Cortina Goribar (1906-1991, Mexican historian; bookplate).
Address of auction CHRISTIE'S
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01.10.2020 – 16.10.2020
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