Folio, (279 x 195 mm). 20 ll., 764 pp. Contemporary limp vellum, preserving ties. Contemporary inscription on title page, light foxing, overall an example in very fresh and clean condition.

The Historia contains a serious and first-hand description of the upper part of Mexico and what is now the southwest region of the United States in the first half of the 17th century. Of particular interest is the account of Don Pedro Porter y Casanate’s voyage along the California coast, and the text of Fray Jacinto Cortes’s letter describing his visit to the “Islas de Californias” in 1642, which features an important description of the local indigenous people.

It is divided into twelve parts, cumulatively giving a history of Jesuit activities in Mexico and the American Southwest, as well as providing a social and cultural examination of indigenous customs, manners, rites and superstitions. The first part gives a history of Sinaloa and its people before the arrival of the Spanish. Part two to eleven describe the arrival of the Spanish and the Jesuit in upper Mexico and their activities among the several tribes, including the conversion of the Hiaqui tribe, the missions at Topia, San Andres, Parras, and Laguna Grande, as well as the conversion of the Tepeguanes and their subsequent rebellion. The final part discusses missionary activities in other parts of New Spain, including an account of the martyrdom of nine Jesuit missionaries in Florida in 1566.

Of special interest is the chapter in which the writer mentions admiral Pedro Porter Casanate’s expedition. Philip IV had ordered him to reconnoiter the Californian lands on the Pacific, “to seek for pearls and colonize the unknown lands and spread the Catholic Faith”.

“Complete history of the Jesuit work in Nueva Vizcaya, practically the only history the country had from 1590 to 1644, written not only by a contemporary author but by a prominent actor in the events narrated, who had access to all the volumi- nous correspondence of his order, comparatively few of which documents have been preserved. In short, Ribas wrote under the most favorable circumstances and made good use of his opportunities.” - Bancroft.

“The chief interest of this very rare volume lies in its accounts of the Indian tribes of Cinaloa, California, New Mexico, and Florida” - Sabin.

“Obra de extremo interés acerca de las actividades de los jesuitas en Sinaloa, California y Florida.” (Palau).

Sabin 60895; Medina BHA 1083; Palau 222254; Salvá 3376; Heredia 6836; Streit 1745; Wagner, 43; Maggs Spanish America, 811.