Rare Book Monthly
Book Catalogue Reviews - January - 2010 Issue
Rare Hispanica from Libreria de Antano
Fundamental publication of California history.
Item 28 is a book in English about the southern part of South America, Description of Patagonia and the adjoining parts of South America, by Thomas Falkner. Falkner was a physician, surgeon, and missionary, who traveled to Patagonia in the 18th century. He spent 30 years among the Patagonians, about whose customs and natural history of their land he wrote. It was for years the only reliable source of information about this land. This copy carries the provenance of the great American collector John Carter Brown. $14,500.
Item 34 is the "founding publication" in the history of California, Relacion Historica de la Vida y ...del Venerable Padre Fray Junipero Serra... by Father Francisco Palou. Serra served in both Baja and later Alta California, which comprises the current U.S. state of California and more. Palou was his pupil who accompanied Serra on many of his travels. Serra set up missions from San Diego to San Francisco. In effect, he was the first westerner to colonize and settle California, as he set up 21 missions to convert and serve the native Indian population. This book is the principle source of information on the life of Serra and the customs of the California natives at the time. It consists primarily of letters Serra wrote to Palou. Published in 1787. $19,000.
Item 51 is the rare first book by Jorge Luis Borges, Fervor de Buenos Aires, published in 1923. Only 300 copies were printed, and Borges gave most of them away himself. This copy is inscribed by the author to a friend in Bolivia. $32,000.
Liberia de Antano may be reached at (5411) 4822-7178 or info@antano.com.ar.
