8vo (153 x 105 mm). 1 [blank], 16 pp., 664; 202, 1 ff. Contemporary limp vellum, spine lettered in ink, endpapers renewed. A fine copy generally, clean and fresh, occasional foxing.

Marban’s is a rare and singularly important vocabulary of the Moxos language, the first of its kind and the only one for almost two centuries. The catechism, present herein, is usually lacking. The Arte is notable both as an important linguistic piece and an early South American imprint. “The language of the nation of the province of los Moxos" in Bolivia, South America. Their language is related to the Maipure. This is the only work on the subject” (Sabin). “Hasta hace poco este era el unico libro impreso referente a la lengua delos Moxos” (Medina). The book is undated, Sabin records the date as 1701, while Medina believes it to be 1702; quite possibly, Medina is more accurate. “Como hermano en la Compañía llego a Sevilla en 1671 desde el Colegio de esa ciudad, a fin de embarcarse para Indias en la misión que conducía a Chile el P. Lorenzo Arizabalo. Destinose le luego de su llegada al Colegio de S. Pablo de Lima, mas tarde a las misiones de Juli, y últimamente a la de los Mojos” (Medina).

Provenance: Dolphin Rare Books; Joan Gilli (1907-1998)

Palau, 150837; 150838 (giving them as separate works); Medina, Lima, 712; Sabin, 44465.