Solís y Ribadeneyra, Antonio de. *History of the Conquest of Mexico or New Spain by Fernand Cortez*. Vol. 1 [of 2]. Paris 1704.

The Conquest of the Aztec Empire -

Solís y Ribadeneyra, Antonio de. Histoire de la Conqueste du Mexique ou de la Nouvelle Espagne par Fernand Cortez. Vol. 1 [of 2]. Paris 1704. Published by Henry Charpentier, 8º, fol. [18], p. 412, fol. [10], 2 maps (copperplate engravings), 9 plates (copperplate engravings, including a fold-out), period binding, leather with a label, embossed and gilt, colored page edges, marbled paper on the endpapers.

A history of the Spanish conquest of Mexico written by Antonio de Solís y Ribadeneyra (1610–1686), a Spanish playwright, poet, and historian, considered one of the last great figures of Spanish Baroque literature. The work covers a three-year period (1518–1521)—from the time Hernán Cortés was entrusted with command of the expedition until the actual conquest of the Aztec Empire, the largest and most powerful state in Mesoamerica. It describes the course of the expedition, which set out in February 1519, visiting Trinidad and Cuba, and ultimately landed on the coast of the Yucatán Peninsula, where the conquistadors founded Veracruz. Then, over the course of several months—in part by breaking up alliances among various small states and tribes and through smallpox (brought by the Europeans), they took control of successive Aztec cities, ultimately conquering and destroying the capital, Tenochtitlan, and founding Mexico City in its place. Volume 1 ends with Cortés’s meeting with Moctezuma Xocoyotzin (Montezuma) in November 1519. The text also contains numerous accounts of the culture and customs of the peoples encountered, as well as the geography and natural features of the Yucatán. The plates depict , among other things , the famous scene of Cortés sinking his own ships to prevent a mutiny; a detailed panorama of Tenochtitlan; and the Aztec pyramids. From the library of the Italian aristocratic Bagliani family (bookplate, ownership inscription). Pencil notes. Ownership signature. Minor discoloration and staining, scuffing on the binding; otherwise in good condition.