[Lima], Joseph de Contreras, 1701.
Small 8vo [146 x 97 mm] of (8) ll., 664 pp., 204 pp. misnumbered 202, (1) l. Section 121-128 bound backwards, small blank part of the title cut in the margin not affecting the text. Bound in full contemporary overlapping limp vellum, remains of ties, flat spine with the title handwritten in ink. Contemporary binding.
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First edition of this rare lexicon of the language spoken by the Moxos Indians, a native tribe of Central Bolivia. It is the only work published about this language. Palau, 150837.
“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 44465).
“All we know about the author of this precious and very important work is limited to very few things. On the title of his book he announces that he has been a superior of the missions of the Moxos and Chiquitos Indians, in the province of Peru. His ‘Arte’ is the only work published about the language of the Indians in these regions, which were divided into three main families: Moxos, Baures and Pampas, speaking a dialect of the same language. Their country is covered with woods and is very unhealthy.” (Leclerc, Bibliotheca Americana, 2361).
”Hasta hace poco este era el unico libro impreso referente a la lengua de los moxos” (Medina, Lima, II, 712).
“This work is important and rare. ‘The ’Arte’ is the only work published about the Indian language of these regions, called ‘Los Moxos’, today in Bolivia.” (Sommervogel, Bibliothèque de la Compagnie de Jésus, V, 517).
“130 and even 150 fr. in October 1860” (Brunet, 1391).
“Moxos, a language still spoken in southeastern Bolivia, is part of the large Arawakan language family which includes the Taino language of the Caribbean.”
A precious copy of this rare lexicon preserved in its original contemporary overlapping limp vellum binding.
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