Rare work on the life of Father Antonio Margil, the important early missionary to Texas, who died in 1726 for the process of beatification.
Father Margil (1657 – 1726) was a Franciscan active as missionary in Texas from 1716 to 1721; during this period, he managed, secured and designed the establishment of three missions in the Nacodoches region and preached to Native Americans, successfully. In 1716, he led a group of Franciscans to settle Missions in Texas, these were attacked by French forces, which made him go back, nevertheless, he came back to form Guadeloupe again instigating both the San Jose and San Antonio Missions and the construction of a Convent. In these expeditions, Margil was aided by Father Isidro Felix de Espinosa (1679 – 1755), who will later write this biography on the life of his colleague. It would be him as well the founder of one of the most significant and successful missions of Texas, that of San Miguel de Aguayo. “Father Margil's activities in Texas, 1716-1721, included establishment of three missions in the Nacogdoches area and several years’ residence in San Antonio” (Howes).
Rare, we can only locate three copies in OCLC, none in Texas (Newberry, Indiana, and Washington State University), and none traced at auction.
Provenance: Swann Galleries, NY,.
Similar works were produced in 1769, 1773 and 1797.
Provenance: Swann Galleries, NY, sold at auction.
Not in Palau.
