DÁVILA PADILLA, Agustín Historia de la fundación... Lot 1139

DÁVILA PADILLA, Agustín Historia de la fundación y discurso de la provincia de Santiago de Mexico de la Orden de Predicadores por las vidas de sus varones insignes y casos Notables de Nueua España. Edicion secunda. Bruxelles I. de Meerbeque 1625 In-f°: [8]-654-[6] pp. (title soiled with slight paper loss on lower edges, numerous russets, a few ink stains). Contemporary cold-stamped calf, spine ribbed (badly damaged, leather missing, spotting). Second edition of "an invaluable work for the history of the first missions in the New World. All editions of this important work are extremely rare. It contains some of the most valuable documents in existence for the history of the Spanish conquest and the colonies in America; as well as the customs, language and religions of the Indians". Dávila Padilla (Mexico, 1562-1604) was a Mexican Dominican, writer and bishop of Santo Domingo. He is one of the great chroniclers of New Mexico, and one of the first to have been born and educated there. During a visit to Spain, the king was apparently so impressed by his eloquence that he appointed him Chronicler of the Indies. He also became Inquisitor of Mexico. Prov. mss.