8vo, (200 x 146 mm). 6 ff., 122 ff., 12 ff. Contemporary limp vellum spine lettered in gilt, ties present, some minor soiling. Blindstamp to title, ink stamp to bottom margin of f.2, some quires slightly uniformly toned as common, wormhole at gutter of a couple of quires, restored, only rarely touching text, marginal dampstaining to a few quires and minimal foxing, else a beautiful copy with large margins, very clean throughout, and in original condition; occasional contemporary marginal annotations.

“A fascinating book which can justly be called the FIRST BOOK ON “AMERICAN DRINKS.” (Lathrop Harper).

“He dedicates this book to the Governor of the Indies, and mentions in his preface that he has investigated all the principal drinks which have been discovered in the world, especially in the New World of the Indies-America. All beverages used by the Indians in New Spain, Peru, Nicaragua, and Guatemala are reviewed and Pinelo concludes that the American Indians drink too much. He mentions 118 varieties, not including mixed drinks.” (Nebenzahl).

As suggested by the title, the work is presented as a moral question on whether drinking chocolate breaks ecclesiastical fast, Pinelo apparently being a renowned enthusiast of chocolate. Besides this, the work is rich in details on chocolate, with ways on how to prepare it and drink it; other subjects dealt with include the varieties of the grain (mentioning 118, not including mixed drinks), other American beverages and Tobacco. Finally, Pinelo reaches the conclusion that Indians, mainly from Mexico, Peru, Nicaragua and Guatemala, drink too much of it.

Leon Pinelo (1590 – 1660) was born in Peru and educated in Lima; besides being are markable historian & writer, is considered the first bibliographer of the Americas. Embellished with a finely engraved title page by de Courbes, picturing an Indian woman holding a small cocoa tree and leaves. Provenance: Collegi Socie[ta] Jesu Mex[ico].

Provenance: ex library, University of California, Bancroft Library bookplate stamped “Univ. of California Withdrawn”; early bookseller’s printed tipped on front flyleaf.

Sabin 62933; Medina, VI, 7712; Palau, 135746.