Fragmentos de la vida, y virtudes del V. Illmo. y Rmo. Sr. Dr. D. Vasco de Quiroga Primer Obispo de la Santa Iglesia Cathedral de Michoacan, Y Fundador del Real y Primitivo Colegio de S. Nicolas [bound with] Reglas y Ordenanzas para el gobierno de los Hospitales de Santa Fe de Mexico, y Michoacan

Moreno Juan José

Mexico: Colegio de S. Ildefonso, 1766.

First Edition. Hardcover (Vellum). Very Good Condition. Item #047404

Contemporary vellum, worn and soiled, remains of ties on one side, a few tiny wormholes in vellum, old pocket from the Holy Family Mission House, St. Louis, MO but no other library marks. Scattered very minor foxing, top edge of title with a bit of red from old sprayed edges, modest dampstaining in top margin in a few spots - generally bright and clean internally with good margins. (26), portrait, 202, (4), 29pp with errata page at end. Palau V 247, Sabin 50601

An important biography of the oidor and first bishop of Michoacán. Vasco de Quiroga founded a number of hospital towns for the indigenous people, not dissimilar to the reductions in Paraguay. He was extremely influened by Thomas More's Utopia (1516) and modeled much of the structure of the missions on More's work. He established three Republicas de Indios along these lines where trades were learned, Christianity was taught, and there was a level of safety. His "Información en Derecho" (1535) argues vehemently against the reinstatement of slavery in Mexico (it had been outlawed in 1530 but reinstated when it interfered with Spanish colonial profits) arguing that enslaving people who had no institution of slavery was fundementaly unjust. He also is said to have brought banana plants to Michoacán from Santo Domino in the 1550s. Size: Quarto (4to). Quantity Available: 1. Shipped Weight: Under 1 kilo. Category: Biography & Autobiography; Americana. Inventory No: 047404.

Price: $2,500.00