Guide to the Antiquities of Mexico, proof sheets

Finding Aid Authors: Nicole Miller and Sutro Library staff.

1630 Holloway Avenue

5th floor

San Francisco, CA, 94132-4030

URL: http://www.library.ca.gov/about/sutro_main.html

Email: sutro@library.ca.gov

Phone: 415-469-6100

Guide to the Antiquities of Mexico, proof sheets

Sutro Library, California State Library

Overview of the Collection

Collection Title: Antiquities of Mexico, proof sheets

Identification: M000030

Physical Description: 22.00

Language of Materials: English Spanish;Castilian

Repository: Sutro Library, California State Library

1630 Holloway Avenue

5th floor

San Francisco, CA, 94132-4030

URL: http://www.library.ca.gov/about/sutro_main.html

Email: sutro@library.ca.gov

Phone: 415-469-6100

Abstract: This collection contains 517 original proof sheets for Lord Kingsborough (Edward King, 1795-1837)'s landmark publication, Antiquities of Mexico: comprising fac-similes of ancient Mexican paintings and hieroglyphics, preserved in the royal libraries of Paris, Berlin and Dresden, in the Imperial library of Vienna, in the Vatican library; in the Borgian museum at Rome; in the library of the Institute at Bologna; and in the Bodleian library at Oxford. Together with the Monuments of New Spain, by M. Dupaix: with their respective scales of measurement and accompanying descriptions. The whole illustrated by many valuable inedited manuscripts, by Augustine Aglio. London: A. Aglio (Vols. 1–5), R. Havell (Vols. 6–7), H.G. Bohn (Vols. 8–9) , was published between 1830-1848.

Antiquities of Mexico made available facsimiles of Mesoamerican pictorial codices, many for the first time. Kingsborough employed the Italian artist Agostino Aglio to create drawings from manuscripts held in European libraries. The first volumes appeared in 1830. Production required thousands of pounds of paper, and costs reached the tens of thousands of Pounds Sterling causing financial difficulty for both Kingsborough and Aglio. Publication contiuned until 1848, reaching nine volume, and plans for a tenth which failed to materialize before Kingsborough's death.

Administrative History:

Irish peer Lord Kingsborough (1795-1837) initiated, financed, compilied, and edited nine published volumes of ancient Mexican manuscripts and paintings preserved in various libraries throughout Europe as well as other pictorial physical remains. The published work known as the Antiquities of Mexico took approximately 18 years to produce and the last two volumes were published after Kingsborough's 1837 death of typhus in a Dublin debtors' prison.

Lord Kingsborough engaged the Italian artist, Agostino Aglio (1777-1857), to illustrate the publication. Aglio, a landscape painter, had studied at the Brera Academy, worked in Rome under Campoveccio Mantovano, and moved to England to assist William Wilkins in the production of Antiquities of Magna Graecia. He also produced frescoes at St. Mary Moorfields in London. To illustrate <em>Antiquities of Mexico, </em>Aglio made drawings from originals which were reproduced as lithographs.

---Cf. Sylvia D. Whitmore, "Lord Kingsborough and his Contriubtion to Ancient Mesoamerican Scholarship: The Antiquities of Mexico," The PARI Journal, A quarterly publication of the Pre-Columbian Art Research Institute, volume IX, no. 4, Spring 2009

Administrative Information

Processing Information:

The original order for the sheets was most likely numerical. In 2019, a volunteer rehoused the sheets into mylar and a student volunteer foldered and arranged the sheets to follow the published work, collating against the digital facsimile available from Harvard's Tozzer Library:

Persistent Link: https://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:FHCL:28188513

Description: Antiquities of Mexico

Repository: FHCL.TOZ

Institution: Harvard University

Handwritten numbers found in the upper right corner of each mylar sheet were added by Sutro Library staff for item control and should not be considered citation numbers.

The collection consists of (11) 20 x 24 inch flat boxes which replaced the previous housing of a drop spine clamshell box.

Conditions Governing Use:

Property rights reside with the repository. Any applicable literary rights would reside with the creators of the documents or their heirs. To obtain permission to publish or reproduce, please email sutro@library.ca.gov

Conditions Governing Access:

The collection is open for research. Please page materials three business days in advance of your visit by email: sutro@library.ca.gov .

Preferred Citation:

[Identification of item] Antiquities of Mexico proof sheets, M000030, Sutro Library, California State Library, San Francisco, Calif.

Physical Characteristics or Technical Requirements:

22 linear feet

Arrangement of Materials:

The original artist proof sheets or plates are arranged to follow the order found in the final published volumes of Antiquities of Mexico by Lord Kingsborough. Each volume of the published work is listed as a series and the subseries are the codices found in each volume. The manuscript plate numbers relate to the images found in each particular codex listed below:

series 1: Volume 1

subseries 1: Copy of the Collection of Mendoza, Preserved in the Bodleian Library at Oxford.

subseries 2: Copy of the Codex Telleriano-Remensis, Preserved in the Royal Library at Paris.

subseries 3: Fac-simile of an Original Mexican Hieroglyphic Painting, From the Collection of Boturini.

subseries 4: Fac-simile of an Original Mexican Painting, Preserved in the Collection of Sir Thomas Bodley in the Bodleian Library at Oxford.

subseries 5: Fac-simile of an Original Mexican Painting, Preserved in the Selden Collection of MSS. in the Bodleian Library at Oxford.

subseries 6: Fac-simile of an Original Mexican Hieroglyphic Painting, Preserved Amongst the Selden Collection in the Bodleian Library at Oxford.

series 2: Volume 2

subseries 1: Copy of a Mexican MS., Preserved in the Library of the Vatican.

subseries 2: Fac-simile of an Original Mexican Painting Given to the University of Oxford by Archbishop Laud, and Preserved in the Bodleian Library.

subseries 3: Fac-simile of an Original Mexican Painting Preserved in the Library of the Institute at Bologna.

subseries 4: Fac-simile of an Original Mexican Painting Preserved in the Imperial Library at Vienna.

subseries 5: Fac-similes of Original Mexican Paintings Deposited in the Royal Library at Berlin by the Baron de Humboldt, and of a Mexican Bas-Relief Preserved in the Royal Cabinet of Antiques.

series: Volume 3

subseries 1: Fac-simile of an Original Mexican Painting Preserved in the Borgian Museum, at the College of Propaganda in Rome.

[Section 2 of this volumne entitled, "Fac-simile of an Original Mexican Painting Preserved in the Royal Library at Dresden." is missing from this collection]

subseries 2: Fac-simile of an Original Mexican Painting in the Possession of M. de Fejervary at Pess in Hungary.

subseries 3: Fac-simile of an Original Mexican Painting Preserved in the Library of the Vatican.

series 4 contains two miscelleanous items, to include one unidentified proof plate.

Scope and Contents

The collection contains 517 original, artist proof sheets for volumes 1-3 of Lord Kingsborough's published work. While voluminous, the collection is not complete. Section 2 of volume 3, "Fac-simile of an Original Mexican Painting, Preserved in the Royal Library at Dresden" is missing. Plates that are represented in the published work but not found in this collection are noted in each folder's description.

These lithographs were made from drawings produced by Agostino Aglio, most hand-colored. Of particular note are the many handwritten corrections and annotations frequently found on the plates in both English and Spanish. Also of interest are the many instances of visible wasted previously used to mend the badly damaged plates.

Volume 1

Copy of the Collection of Mendoza, Preserved in the Bodleian Library at Oxford.

Scope and Contents

[Also known as: Codex Mendoza]

Box 1, Folder 1

Plates V1.1-25

Scope and Contents

23 items. This folder contains plates 1-25 from volume 1, with plates 4 and 21 missing. There is a plate numbered V.4 but the image is plate number 5 in the published work. All of the plates are annotated in English, with plate 18 annotated in Spanish. Average sized plate measures 36 x 48 cm with the smallest plate being 36 x 42 cm and the largest 36 x 48 cm.

Box 1, Folder 2

Plates V1.26-50

Scope and Contents

25 items. This folder contains plates 26-50 from volume 1. Several plates are annotated in English. Average sized plate measures 36 x 48 cm, with the smallest plate being 36 x 39 cm and the largest 36 x 48 cm.

Box 2, Folder 1

Plates V1.51-72

Scope and Contents

22 items. This folder contains plates 51-72 from volume 1. Several plates are annotated in English, with plate 57 annotated in Spanish. Average sized plate measures 36 x 48 cm, with the smallest plate being 36 x 41 cm and the largest 36 x 48 cm.

Copy of the Codex Telleriano-Remensis, Preserved in the Royal Library at Paris.

Scope and Contents

[Also known as: Codex Telleriano-Remensis]

Box 2, Folder 2

Plates V1.73-75

Scope and Contents

3 items. This folder contains plates 73-75 from volume 1. Several plates are annotated in English. All plates measure 36 x 48 cm.

Box 2, Folder 3

Plates V1.76-100

Scope and Contents

25 items. This folder contains plates 76-100 from volume 1. Several plates are annotated in English. Average sized plate measures 36 x 48 cm with the smallest plate being 37 x 47 cm and the largest 36 x 48 cm.

Box 3, Folder 1

Plates V1.101-125

Scope and Contents

25 items. This folder contains plates 101-125 from volume 1, with plate 114 missing. This collection contains two different V1.118, one of which contains an asterix next to the number. Several plates are annotated in English. Average sized plate measures 37 x 48 cm with the smallest plate being 37 x 35 cm and the largest 36 x 48 cm.

Box 3, Folder 2

Plates V1.126-140

Scope and Contents

15 items. This folder contains plates 126-140 from volume 1, with plate 141 missing. Several plates are annotated in English. All plates measure 37 x 46 cm.

Fac-simile of an Original Mexican Hieroglyphic Painting, from the Collection of Boturini.

Scope and Contents

[Also known as: Codex Boturini]

Box 3, Folder 3

Plates V1.142-152

Scope and Contents

10 items. This folder contains plates 142-152 from volume 1, with plate 150 missing. Several plates are annotated in English. Average sized plate measures 36 x 48 cm with the smallest plate being 35 x 46 cm and the largest 37 x 46 cm.

Fac-simile of an Original Mexican Hieroglyphic Painting, Preserved in the Collection of Sir Thomas Bodley, in the Bodleian Library at Oxford.

Scope and Contents

[Also known as: Codex Bodley]

Box 4, Folder 1

Plates V1.153-178

Scope and Contents

26 items. This folder contains plates 153-178 from volume 1. None of the plates are annotated. Average sized plate measures 36 x 48 cm with the smallest plate being 35 x 32 cm and the largest 36 x 48 cm.

Box 4, Folder 2

Plates V1.179-192

Scope and Contents

14 items. This folder contains plates 179-192 from volume 1. None of the plates include annotations. Average sized plate measures 36 x 48 cm with the smallest plate being 36 x 33 cm and the largest 36 x 48 cm.

Fac-simile of an Original Mexican Painting, Preserved in the Selden Collection of MSS. in the Bodleian Library at Oxford.

Scope and Contents

[Also known as: Codex Selden]

Box 4, Folder 3

Plates V1.193-203

Scope and Contents

11 items. This folder contains plates 193-203 from volume 1. Several plates are annotated in English. Average sized plate measures 36 x 48 cm with the smallest plate being 36 x 27 cm and the largest 36 x 48 cm.

Box 5, Folder 1

Plates V1.204-213

Scope and Contents

7 items. This folder contains plates 204-213 from volume 1, with plates 205, 206, and 209 missing. None of the plates contain annotations. Average sized plate measures 36 x 48 cm with the smallest plate being 36 x 29 cm and the largest 36 x 48 cm.

Fac-simile of an Original Mexican Hieroglyphic Painting Preserved Amongst the Selden Collection in the Bodleian Library at Oxford.

Scope and Contents

[Also known as: Selden Roll]

Box 5, Folder 2

Plates V1.214-225

Scope and Contents

12 items. This folder contains plates 214-225 from volume 1. Several plates are annotated in English. Average sized plate measures 36 x 48 cm with the smallest plate being 36 x 38 cm and the largest 36 x 48 cm.

Volume 2

Copy of a Mexican MS. Preserved in the Library of the Vatican.

Scope and Contents

[Also known as Codex Vaticanus A (3738) or Codex Rios]

Box 5, Folder 3

Plates V2.1-26

Scope and Contents

25 items. This folder contains plates 1-26 from volume 2, with plate 15 missing. Several plates are annotated in English. Average sized plate measures 36 x 46 cm with the smallest plate being 36 x 35 cm and the largest 36 x 48 cm. Plate 4 heavily toned.

Box 6, Folder 1

Plates V2.27-51

Scope and Contents

25 items. This folder contains plates 27-51 from volume 2. Several plates are annotated in English. Average sized plate measures 36 x 46 cm with the smallest plate being 36 x 35 cm and the largest 36 x 46 cm.

Box 6, Folder 2

Plates V2.52-77

Scope and Contents

26 items. This folder contains plates 52-77 from volume 2. Several plates are annotated in English. Average sized plate measures 36 x 46 cm with the smallest plate being 36 x 27 cm and the largest 36 x 46 cm.

Box 7, Folder 1

Plates V2.78-102

Scope and Contents

25 items. This folder contains plates 78-102 from volume 2. Several plates are annotated in English. Average sized plate measures 36 x 46 cm with the smallest plate being 36 x 31 cm and the largest 36 x 46 cm.

Fac-simile of an Original Mexican Painting Given to the University of Oxford by Archbishop Laud, and Preserved in the Bodleian Library.

Scope and Contents

[Also known as Codex Laud]

Box 7, Folder 2

Plates V2.103-125

Scope and Contents

20 items. This folder contains plates 103-125 from volume 2, with plates 105, 107, and 119 missing. Several plates are annotated in English. Average sized plate measures 36 x 46 cm with the smallest plate being 36 x 35 cm and the largest 36 x 48 cm.

Fac-simile of an Original Mexican Painting Preserved in the Library of the Institute at Bologna.

Scope and Contents

[Also known as Codex Cospi]

Box 8, Folder 1

Plates V2.127-135

Scope and Contents

9 items. This folder contains plates 127-135 from volume 2, with plate 126 missing. Several plates are annotated in English. Average sized plate measures 23 x 42 cm with the smallest plate being 22 x 42 cm and the largest 40 x 22 cm. Plate 127 has page deterioration.

Fac-simile of an Original Mexican Painting Preserved in the Imperial Library at Vienna.

Scope and Contents

[Also known as Codex Vindobonensis Mexicanus 1]

Box 8, Folder 2

Plates V2.136-155

Scope and Contents

16 items This folder contains plates 136-155 from volume 2, with plates 138, 145, 147, and 150 missing. Several plates are annotated in English. Average sized plate measures 29 x 25 cm with the smallest plate being 28 x 24 cm and the largest 29 x 25 cm.

Box 8, Folder 3

Plates V2.156-191

Scope and Contents

25 items. This folder contains plates 156-191 from volume 2, with plates 158, 160, 162, 171, 172, 174, 177, 182, 185, 187, and 189 missing. Several plates are annotated in English. Average sized plate measures 29 x 24 cm with the smallest plate being 29 x 24 cm and the largest 29 x 25 cm.

Box 9, Folder 1

Plates V2.192-200

Scope and Contents

5 items. This folder contains plates 192-200 from volume 2, with plate3 193, 195, 197, and 199 missing. Several plates are annotated in English. All plates measure 29 x 24 cm.

Fac-similes of Original Mexican Paintings Deposited in the Royal Library at Berlin by the Baron de Humboldt, and of a Mexican Bas-Relief Preserved in the Royal Cabinet of Antiques.

Scope and Contents

[Also known as Codice Humboldt Fragmento 1]

Box 9, Folder 2

Plates V2.201-218

Scope and Contents

4 items. This folder contains plates 201-218 from volume 2, with plates 204 thru 217 missing. None of the plates include annotations. Average sized plate measures 35 x 47 cm with the smallest plate being 36 x 27 cm and the largest 35 x 48 cm.

Volume 3

Scope and Contents

[This series is missing subseries 2 which is entitled, "Fac-simile of an Original Mexican Painting, Preserved in the Royal Library at Dresden."]

Fac-simile of an Original Mexican Painting Preserved in the Borgian Museum, at the College of Propaganda in Rome.

Scope and Contents

[Also known as Codex Borgia]

Box 9, Folder 3

Plates V3.1-27

Scope and Contents

25 items. This folder contains plates 1-27 from volume 3, with plates 8 and 18 missing. Several plates are annotated in English. Average sized plate measures 37 x 47 cm with the smallest plate being 28 x 34 cm and the largest 37 x 47 cm.

Box 10, Folder 1

Plates V3.28-53

Scope and Contents

25 items. This folder contains plates 28-53 from volume 3, with plate 30 missing. Several plates are annotated in English. Average sized plate measures 37 x 47 cm, with the smallest plate being 36 x 36 cm and the largest being 37 x 47 cm.

Box 10, Folder 2

Plates V3.54-76

Scope and Contents

23 items. This folder contains plates 54-76 from volume 3. Several plates annotated in English. Average sized plate measures 37 x 46 cm, with the smallest plate being 38 x 27 cm and the largest 38 x 48 cm.

Fac-simile of an Original Mexican Painting Preserved in the Royal Library at Dresden [missing from this collection]

Fac-simile of an Original Mexican Painting in the Possession of M. de Fejervary, at Pess in Hungary.

Scope and Contents

[Also known as Codex Fejervary-Mayer]

Box 11, Folder 1

Plates V3.104-125

Scope and Contents

21 items. This folder contains plates 104-125 from volume 3, with plate 109 missing. Several plates are annotated in English. Average sized plate measures 37 x 48 cm, wtih the smallest plate being 27 x 38 cm and the largest 37 x 48 cm.

Fac-simile of an Original Mexican Painting Preserved in the Library of the Vatican.

Scope and Contents

[Also known as Codex Vaticanus B (3773)]

Box 11, Folder 2

Plates V3.126-149

Scope and Contents

24 items. This folder contains plates 126-149 from volume 3. Several plates with English annotations. Average plates measures 37 x 37 cm, the smallest plate being 30 x 38 cm and the largest 37 x 49 cm. Plate 129 is evenly toned and missing a strip in the middle of the page, cutting into the image. Plate 149 has several small missing portions effecting the image.

Miscellaneous materials

Box 11, Folder 3

Miscellaneous materials

Box 11, Folder 3

Waste

Scope and Contents

Waste removed from the back of plate V3.1 by conservation specialist in 2019.

Box 11, Folder 3

Unidentified plate

Scope and Contents

Unidentified plate with "V1.177" written in pencil, measuring 5.5 x 7.25 cm.