The De La Cruz-Badiano Aztec Herbal of 1552 (Libellus de medicinalibus indorum herbis) by Gates, William Edmond (1863-1940) - 1939

xxxii+144 pages, with reproductions from the codex (many in color), and index. Octavo (8 ¾ " x 6 ½ ") issued in blue buckram with gilt lettering to spine. First edition in English.

This volume contains the full text, in English, with all the figures of the plants, as found in the original manuscript, which as Codex Barberini, Latin 241, has remained in the Library and archives of the Vatican since the time of that Cardinal Barberini from whom it holds it Vatican reference number, and of whose interest in the many forms of natural history has come down to us. The manuscript was prepared as a tribute to the son of the then Vicory of Mexico, in 1552, by Martin de la Cruz and Juan Badiano. Originally this was to be printed as one of the first publications of the Maya Society. This was first published as number 22 of the Society in 1938, but was published in Latin. This, number 23, is the English translation of the Latin version.

The Libellus de Medicinalibus Indorum Herbis (Latin for "Little Book of the Medicinal Herbs of the Indians") is an Aztec herbal manuscript, describing the medicinal properties of various plants used by the Aztecs. It was translated into Latin by Juan Badiano, from a Nahuatl original composed in the Colegio de Santa Cruz de Tlatelolco in 1552 by Martín de la Cruz that is no longer extant. The Libellus is also known as the Badianus Manuscript, after the translator; the Codex de la Cruz-Badiano, after both the original author and translator; and the Codex Barberini, after Cardinal Francesco Barberini, who had possession of the manuscript in the early 17th century.The Badianus Manuscript of 1552 is the first illustrated and descriptive scientific text of Nahua medicine and botany produced in the Americas. It is a significant text in the history of botany and the history of medicine. In 1552 Jacobo de Grado, the friar in charge of the Convent of Tlatelolco and the College of Santa Cruz, had the herbal created and translated for Don Francisco de Mendoza, son of Don Antonio de Mendoza, the viceroy of New Spain. Mendoza sent the Latin manuscript to Spain, where it was deposited into the royal library. There it presumably remained until the early 17th century, when it somehow came into the possession of Diego de Cortavila y Sanabria, pharmacist to King Philip IV. From Cortavila it travelled to the Italian Cardinal Francesco Barberini, possibly via intermediate owners. The manuscript remained in the Barberini library until 1902, when the Barberini library became part of the Vatican Library, and the manuscript along with it. Finally, in 1990 — over four centuries after it was sent to Spain — Pope John Paul II returned the Libellus to Mexico, and it is now in the library of the National Institute of Anthropology and History in Mexico City.

Condition:

Light extremity wear, spine ends and corners rubbed, corners bumped, previous owner's name to title and front end paper else a very good copy.